AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Jets

Bengals

On Thursday, the Bengals released veteran WR Brandon LaFell.

Regarding the move, A.J. Green says that he will miss LaFell, but thinks their young receivers are ready to step up and play.

“Brandon was a guy who was great for our room — a veteran who knows how to be a pro, knows every position, could have plugged him in anywhere so losing him hurts, but it’s a business,” Green said, via Bengals.com. “There are a lot of young guys here that are ready to play, but it sucks, me and Brandon became real close this last year. He was one of my friends off the field. It’s tough, but it’s a business and he knows the business side of it.”

Browns

Browns second-year TE David Njoku has struggled with drops this training camp, but it doesn’t sound like he’s losing any confidence in himself.

“Those tough ones happen,” Njoku said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Just focus on the next play. Those things happen, and you’ve got to make the next play.”

Browns HC Hue Jackson said he’s spoken with Njoku about the drops, but he also has confidence in Njoku’s ability.

“He needs to know that I have confidence in him,” Jackson said. “I know the kind of player that he can be, but there is so much work that he has to do to be what I think he wants to be. In order to do that, every day you have got to be focused, determined and disciplined.”

Jets

Jets first-round QB Sam Darnold said that “it sucked” not being out there with the team while he was holding out of training camp.

“It sucked watching it, but at the same time, I knew what needed to be done,” Darnold said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “I knew it was necessary. . . .

“I thought it played out great.”

Despite his draft status, the Jets are starting Darnold off from the bottom of the quarterback depth chart.

“Obviously, it’s a coach’s decision,” Darnold said. “The competitor in me, yeah, I want to start, but it’s whatever is best for the team. . . . With Josh and Teddy, it’s a huge challenge.”