AFC Notes: Bills, Chargers, Jaguars, Patriots

Bills

Bills DT Marcell Dareus has already missed some practice time with hamstring issues. However, he says he’s focused solely on getting back to the practice field right now.

“I don’t even think about them; I have no time, I have no space in my mind,” Dareus said, via Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “I have a season, I have to get prepared for my teammates, and I know they’re doing the best for me. I’m just going to continue to put one foot in front of the other, and just stay focused.”

Dareus added that he has something to prove to both his teammates and fans this year.

“I have something to prove to myself and to my teammates and the fans,” Dareus said. “I just want to do my best. Me doing my best I know is good enough.”

Chargers

• Chargers DE Joey Bosa said he is “very comfortable” playing in recently acquired DC Gus Bradley‘s 4-3 defensive scheme. (SiriusXM NFL Radio)

Jaguars

• On Tuesday, Jaguars RB I’Tavius Mathers was taken to the hospital after suffering a spinal injury during practice.
• Jacksonville announced Wednesday morning that Mathers has been released from the hospital and will rejoin the team after suffering a cervical spinal cord injury.

Patriots

Patriots backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo said he is “eager” to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

“I wouldn’t say frustrated is the word,” Garoppolo said, via Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. “I’m happy. I think everything that happens, happens for a reason. I’m happy being here, I’ve gotten two Super Bowl rings. So I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated. Eager to play is probably a better way to put it. I’m just not used to being a backup. I want to be a starter, and compete to be a starter. That’s how I look at it.”

Garoppolo added that he tried to “shut [himself] out” from trade rumors during the offseason.

“I tried to shut myself out from it,” Garoppolo said. “But just naturally, friends, family, would say, ‘Hey, did you hear this? Did you see this?’ It was that type of thing. I’d end up hearing about it one way or the other. A lot of it was rumor. Then it started to get serious for a while. And the whole Instagram hacking thing, that was something else. I try not to think about it much, but it’s always in the back of my mind.”