AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• According to Patrick Smyth, Broncos DC Ed Donatell has been spending time at home recovering after being taken to the hospital with COVID-19-related symptoms last week.
• Smyth mentions that Donatell is feeling “much better” and has begun participating in virtual meetings.
• ESPN’s Jeff Legwold expects the Broncos to try again to extend S Justin Simmons, who’s playing out this season on the franchise tag. 
• Broncos QB Drew Lock was expected to get some work in practice, including in team drills, after missing Wednesday. (James Palmer)
• Lock said he would like to play this week but the final decision is up to the doctors, trainers and coaches: “I would like to be (available). I will give my opinion and I want to play. But in the end it’s not 100 percent up to me.” (Troy Renck)

Chargers

• ESPN’s Shelley Smith expects the Chargers to let DE Melvin Ingram walk, as he’s had a rough year between contract issues and a knee injury. He has no sacks in the six games he’s appeared in. 

Chiefs

Despite the fact that all armed robbery charges were dropped against him, new Chiefs CB Deandre Baker still presents a bit of a risk for his new team. The incident leaves questions around Baker and he was dismal for the Giants on the field and behind the scenes as a rookie as well. But Chiefs HC Andy Reid said the expectation is for Baker to stay out of trouble and eventually become someone who can help the team. 

“I know when he gets here, he’ll see the environment that we have and he’s going to be asked to work hard and keep his nose clean,” Reid said via Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star. “That’s what you do and we’re very honest with that and open. So, when Brett [Veach] deals with that, he keeps that real with these guys whoever we’re bringing in, but anything else isn’t acceptable. That’s how we go.”

• Chiefs LT Eric Fisher returned to practice from the COVID-19 list. (Nate Taylor)

Raiders

Raiders QB Derek Carr had his fair share of doubters coming into the 2020 season. His employers were arguably among them after they made QB Marcus Mariota the highest-paid backup in the league this offseason. But Carr has put Mariota far behind him in the rearview mirror with his play so far this season. 

“He’s all business,” Raiders HC Jon Gruden said, via Anthony Galaviz of the Fresno Bee. “He’s on a mission right now to prove that he can be one of the top, if not the best, in football. That’s what he’s after. . . . I think he’s on a mission to deliver his leadership, his play-making and his day-to-day consistency to this team. If you could see him here every day in these circumstances, you’d all be impressed with what he represents. I couldn’t be happier having him as my quarterback.”

• According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Raiders also put in a claim for DE Takk McKinley, who was awarded to the 49ers.