AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Jaguars

Bengals

• Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that the Bengals are not using DT Geno Atkins as often due to a pesky shoulder injury.
• Jones also believes that the Bengals may end up keeping several of their possible trade candidates due to both the COVID-19 situation and the possible changes in salary cap next year.
• Among players who could possibly be traded, Jones mentions Atkins, DE Carlos Dunlap, OL Billy Price, WR A.J. Green, and WR John Ross.
• The Bengals are bringing in DB Jalen Davis for a tryout this week, according to Albert Breer.

Browns

Browns’ TE Austin Hooper will not play on Sunday against the Bengals after having surgery following appendicitis, which the team was able to catch early.

“Any success we’ve had this year he’s been heavily involved,” Stefanski said, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.com. “It does not always show up in the statistics as catches, but he has been very involved in our successes this season. Obviously we will miss him, but we will hold down the fort until he gets back.” 

Browns’ OL coach Bill Callahan also had high praise for OL Chris Hubbard, who started at right guard in the absence of Wyatt Teller last Sunday.

“Well, surprisingly, he did very well in the Colts game,” Callahan said. “And against Pittsburgh, he had some struggles here and there, but for the most part he competed hard and he is learning some of the intricacies of the position, which is hard to do when you move a tackle inside, it takes a little time. I commend Chris for making this move on such short notice and doing the things he has done and having some success that he has had. To make that transition, it is awfully challenging, awfully tough, because things happen so much quicker and so much faster inside.”

Browns’ LB Mack Wilson has played in four games but still says he is feeling the effects of a knee hyperextension that he suffered and wishes he could stay on the field in passing situations.

“I miss it a lot. Being able to be on the field and not really come off, I miss it,” Wilson said. “I feel like me being on the field more would help me make more plays and things like that to put us in situations to win. I have days where I just kind of reflect on me last year as a player and where I am right now. With me getting hurt, I feel like I took a few steps back.”

Jaguars

• When examining trade candidates on the Jaguars, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe lists G Andrew Norwell, C Brandon Linder, G A.J. Cann, and WR Keelan Cole as players to watch. 
• Jaguars activated RB Devine Ozigbo from injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Jaguars promoted S Doug Middleton and TE Eric Saubert to their active roster. 
• Jaguars placed RB Chris Thompson on COVID-19 list. (NFLTR)