AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Chargers

Bengals

• The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. writes that by all accounts Bengals DT Geno Atkins was considering opting out of the season like all defensive tackles did across the league.
• He decided against it, but Atkins has yet to play with a shoulder injury and ended up being inactive Week 3 after being expected earlier in the week to make his season debut against the Eagles. 
• Dehner adds that barring a dominant season it’s more likely than not Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap is a cap casualty this offseason. Cincinnati will save $11.3 million with just $2.3 million in dead money by releasing Dunlap in 2021. 
• As for Atkins, Dehner points out the Bengals don’t like to take on more than $5 million in dead money when moving on from a player. While Atkins’ play has slipped, he would carry a $5.2 million dead money hit compared to $9.6 million in savings if released in 2021. 
• Dehner says the Bengals are unlikely to trade WR Auden Tate, as he’s more valuable as depth than what they could get and they philosophically don’t trade players in-season anyway. 
• Dehner mentions the Bengals’ decision to start Fred Johnson at right guard on a short week indicates their current level of belief, or lack thereof, in former first-rounder Billy Price.

Browns

• On Fox Sports’ pregame show, Jay Glazer reported the Browns have no desire to trade WR Odell Beckham. And for his part, Beckham is motivated to stay and work out the kinks with QB Baker Mayfield. 

Chargers

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter explains the doctors have told Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor he can’t do any strenuous activity for two weeks after his punctured lung, which rules him out for both Week 3 and 4. 
• Per Schefter, one team official called first-round QB Justin Herbert “a natural-born leader” and shared how he went around encouraging teammates in the locker room following last week’s overtime loss to the Chiefs.