AFC Notes: Bengals, Chargers, Colts

Bengals

• Following the release of LB Preston Brown, the Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. believes third-round rookie LB Germaine Pratt is the only safe bet to return at linebacker for Cincinnati in 2020. 

Chargers

• The Athletic’s Daniel Popper writes that the decision for the Chargers on whether or not to take a quarterback in the first round likely depends on if they believe their Super Bowl window is still open. 
• If they do, it makes sense to sign QB Philip Rivers to a short-term deal and draft an offensive lineman to help protect him. After 2020, the team can reassess with WR Keenan Allen and DE Melvin Ingram set to hit free agency. 
• Popper adds he would put the chances of Rivers playing in Los Angeles for the Chargers next year at 98 percent regardless of the team’s final 2019 record. 
• Popper mentions that Chargers’ RB Melvin Gordon‘s slow start to the season due to his holdout will likely affect his market and could make it easier for Los Angeles to re-sign him. 
• Popper notes that Chargers fourth-round rookie LB Drue Tranquill has been impressive and is earning a bigger role next season. 
• Popper says there is more to the story regarding a potential Chargers move to London despite the team’s emphatic denial. 
• Chargers HC Anthony Lynn said of LT Russell Okung (groin): “He’s rehabbing. He’s working on the side. We’ll see where he’s at. ..I’d love to see him play. But if he can’t go, he won’t go.”
• Lynn mentioned that they would start Trey Pipkins at left tackle and Trent Scott at right tackle if Okung is not available. (Daniel Popper)
• Regarding RT Sam Tevi, who had his meniscus scoped Friday morning, Lynn said: “I don’t like to put a timetable on guys’ injuries, but Sam did have a minor surgery. It could be a couple weeks. It could be next week. I don’t know. We’ll see how he progresses.” (Daniel Popper)

Colts

Colts WR Devin Funchess is set to return to practice this week for the first time since breaking his collarbone and going on injured reserve. Funchess is eligible to play this week against the Jaguars and Indianapolis could use a boost at receiver, but HC Frank Reich isn’t ready to commit to Funchess suiting up. 

“Technically, he could be cleared to play the game,” Reich said via the Indianapolis Star’s Jim Ayello. “But he’s got a few more boxes to check. We have to make sure he’s good to go because this will really be his first week of practice. Then we still have to see how much he’ll be able to do Wednesday. We’re really encouraged. I think there’s another box he has to check before we can go full boar on the practice.”

• Colts second-round rookie WR Parris Campbell is hopeful he can return from his broken hand in Week 13 against the Titans. (Joel Erickson)
• Colts QB Jacoby Brissett said he would have played Sunday against the Dolphins if the decision had been his, but it was Reich’s job to “protect myself from myself.” (George Bremer)