AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

• According to Mike Klis, new Broncos OT Demar Dotson‘s is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3 million through incentives. 

Chargers

• Per the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers HC Anthony Lynn told S Roderic Teamer there’s a “good chance” he’ll be back with the team this season. Teamer was suspended the first four games of the season by the NFL. 
• While on HBO’s Hardknocks, Lynn told players that he previously tested positive for COVID-19: “I can’t promise you you aren’t going to get infected…. I got infected.” (Lindsey Thiry)

Raiders

Veteran TE Jason Witten is fitting in well with the Raiders and is impressed by HC Jon Gruden so far this offseason.

“He’s a brilliant coach,” Witten said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “He brings the juice every day. Great communicator. Lays out expectations for his team. How he’s handled the COVID-19 and the meetings, very upfront. … Really thrilled to be a part of this program that he’s building here in Vegas. Coach Gruden has had a way with veteran players in later parts of their career and I certainly understand that. I’m just really excited about the opportunity knowing that fit and role is going to change and it’s probably going to be different from what I’ve experienced throughout my career. But: be a veteran presence for this team. I’ve been fortunate to stay healthy and find ways to be savvy enough to still have an edge. So just be there to share my experiences, certainly, on the field, communicate as a veteran player, and whatever that role evolves into.”

Witten knows he is now the veteran amongst the tight end group and offered high praise for starting tight end, Darren Waller.

“Obviously, it’s a talented tight-end room,” Witten said. “I certainly, in my career, had a lot of great mentors and role models, coaches, and players alike that showed me the game, given me input and tried to help me take that next step. I’ve watched a lot of his tape from a year ago. He’s big, he’s long, he’s athletic, he’s extremely fast, but he’s just got great feel and understanding. And a lot of playing the tight-end position — you want size, you want speed, you want all those things. But how do you get open when maybe the coverage doesn’t say you should get open? And (those) are the tricks you have to master. You see the way he studies it and what he wants out of this year and his career, and I think he’s going to be a star. He’s already a star, but I don’t think there is a limit to what he can achieve in this league at the tight-end position.”

One player who Witten has been most impressed with amongst his Raiders teammates is his new QB, Derek Carr.

“He can really sling it,” Witten said. “I’ve been impressed by his ability to throw it accurately and lead you, and kind of see it the same way you do as a receiver. Impressed by his ability to get outside the pocket and create with his legs. The sky is the limit for him and he’s well on his way (with) how he’s gone about this offseason and now camp.”

• Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and OT Trent Brown both did not participate in practice Wednesday. (Tafur)
• Jacobs ended the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury but says his absence was just a scheduled off-day by the training staff: “I don’t feel the shoulder at all. For the most part, this is the best I’ve felt in a while.”  (Paul Gutierrez)
• Jacobs says he wants to catch “at least 60 balls” in 2020. (Gutierrez)
• Raiders WR Tyrell Williams battled plantar fasciitis in both of his feet last year but says he’s “over the hump” in his recovery and feeling good while doing daily maintenance to keep the soreness away. (Tafur)