AFC Notes: Broncos, Browns, Raiders, Steelers

Broncos

• Mike Klis of 9News notes that Broncos QB Paxton Lynch has been earning “considerably” more first-team reps in recent days than he ever did during the team’s offseason program.
• Broncos HC Vance Joseph said he planned on giving Lynch first-team reps this week in preparation for Saturday’s preseason game: “That was the plan coming into today. He’s obviously starting the game on Saturday. It was his turn to be with the ones today.”
• Klis reports that Broncos rookie OLB/DL DeMarcus Walker is scheduled to undergo another MRI on his hip.

Browns

Browns DC Gregg Williams said first-round DE Myles Garrett has “jumped out” faster than any draft pick he has coached before.

“I’ve never had a chance to draft the first overall pick ever, but I’ve had some pretty high draft picks,” said Williams, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He’s the one that has jumped out and fit in faster than any of the other ones, and I have had some really, really good ones. The reason that he moved up the depth chart was because of him and his teammates, not because of my evaluation.”

Williams went on to say that first-round Jabrill Peppers has played “every position” during camp and sees him as a middle linebacker.

“He’s done very well,” said Williams. “He’s adapted very well. He’s played really … every position but one that I might end up doing with him later on down the line. You might see him at middle linebacker, too, at times. He’s played free, strong, linebacker both strong and weak, punt returner, kick returner and quarterback.”

Raiders

Raiders OL coach Mike Tice said developing depth on the offensive line has been a positive aspect to LT Donald Penn‘s holdout.

“Well it’s always good when you develop in depth,” Tice said, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. “We had a number of days when we were down to 11 and 10 players.”

Tice added that he is using Marshall Newhouse at left tackle, Vadal Alexander as the right tackle, and fourth-round OL David Sharpe as the swing tackle.

“I can’t sit here and wonder when D.P. is going to come back. Right now I’ve moved forward with Marshall is on the left and Vadal is on the right and David is swinging. That’s reality right now. I can’t think that there’s going to be something else there until it’s there,” said Tice.

Steelers

• Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said rookie WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is being evaluated for a lower body injury but does not consider it to be serious: “It doesn’t appear to be as serious as it appeared to be, but I don’t have any information. He’s being evaluated right now.”
• Steelers veteran OLB James Harrison said he would be “fine” playing behind first-round OLB T.J. Watt: “I’ll be fine, whatever they want me to do. Whatever they want, I’m good.” (Ed Bouchette)