AFC Notes: Bills, Colts, Steelers, Titans

Bills

Bills owner Terry Pegula said the franchise will remain in Buffalo through at least the 2023 season since their lease on the stadium runs that long.

“Well, we have a lease through 2023, so that’s a contractual obligation,” Pegula said, via ProFootballTalk. “That’s my stance on it. This is 2017, so we’ve got a long ways to go before we start worrying about anything besides where we’re at now.”

When asked about the team’s 2018 clause that would allow them to get out of their lease, Pegula said: “Where are we going to go?”

Colts

Kevin Bowen of the Colts’ official site writes that WR Chester Rogers has gained the No. 3 receiver role in training camp over Kamar Aiken and Phillip Dorsett.

“Chester Rogers is the guy,” Bowen writes, via ProFootballTalk. “When the Colts have started 11-on-11 drills, utilizing three-receiver personnel, there’s Rogers, playing alongside T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. We’ve seen much more of Rogers than Kamar Aiken and Phillip Dorsett. The latter two will, and still could, factor into things behind Hilton and Moncrief. But early returns indicate that Rogers is a virtual 12th starter for the Colts.”

Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said the play of his offensive line could prolong his NFL career: “If those guys in the front play as well as they’ve been playing, getting sacked 17 times in a year, that might keep me around a little longer.” (Jeremy Fowler)

• Steelers third-round RB James Conner confirmed that his left shoulder injury was minor: “I’m good.” (Mark Kaboly)
• Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Gazette writes that some within the Steelers are upset with the NFL over “dragging their feet” with WR Martavis Bryant‘s reinstatement from suspension, saying the team feels that Bryant has done “everything they’ve asked.”

Titans

Titans second-year RB Derrick Henry said it was an adjustment becoming a backup last season, but adds that he learned a lot during his rookie year.

“It was different, coming off the year that I had in college, coming in and being the second guy,” Henry said, via Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site. “But it was a growth year, an experience year, and it helped me learn a lot and prepared me this year to get better.”

Titans HC Mike Mularkey added that Henry understands his role as the team’s backup to DeMarco Murray.

“I think he knows his role here,” Mularkey said. “He knows we want to get him the football when we can, he understands his role. That’s why he practices the way he practices, that’s why he meets the way he meets. He gets it, he’s a team player. If you don’t practice like you’re a starter you’re going to have a problem when you line up on Sunday, whether it’s starting a game, or coming in on a game, you better practice like you’re a starter.”