AFC Notes: Bengals, Jaguars, Patriots, Steelers

Bengals

• Bengals G Christian Westerman officially passed his physical on Saturday and was activated from the Non-Football Illness list.

Jaguars

• The Jacksonville Jaguars officially activated TE David Grinnage from the PUP list on Saturday.

Patriots

Regarding Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower’s recent comments that New England’s defense will play “faster” under new DC Brian Flores than while for Matt Patricia, veteran S Devin McCourty explained that there is “a lot of crossover” from last year’s scheme.

“I mean, it’s always going to be different because somebody else is calling it, you know what I mean,” McCourty said, via ProFootballTalk. “He’s not going to be the same as Matty P, but our defense is kind of the same, you know what I mean — like we don’t have a whole new defense because Flo’s been in this system for years. It’s a lot of crossover.”

• Patriots WR Cody Hollister, who was placed on the NFI list, will undergo back surgery, according to his brother Jacob: “He’s a warrior. I expect him to be back on the field next year for sure.” (Zack Cox)

Steelers

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Saturday that he isn’t worried about franchise RB Le’Veon Bell‘s absence from training camp.

“We went through this last year and when Le’Veon got here, his commitment to the team is as good as ever so expect the same thing when he gets here this year. Of course, I hope he gets here a little earlier; we’ll see,” Rooney II told Judy Battista of the NFL Network.

“Le’Veon is a professional. We’re disappointed we weren’t able to come to an agreement but that’s the business side of football. Respect his position, no hard feelings. We just like to get him here as quickly as we can and get him started.“

Rooney wouldn’t say whether he thinks this will be Bell’s final year in Pittsburgh.

“I’m not going to say that. We’ll revisit his contract after the season,” Rooney said. “Who knows? There’s a lot of miles to travel between now and then and hopefully a lot of good miles on the football field for Le’Veon.”