AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Broncos DC Ed Donatell stayed home from the game Sunday due to the COVID-19 protocols because he was feeling sick. 
• Broncos HC Vic Fangio doesn’t see any major moves for Denver coming down the pipe: “I haven’t had any discussions with John (Elway) on that, which means that there hasn’t been any talks seriously enough on that to bring it to me.” (Troy Renck)
• Broncos CB A.J. Bouye will be in the concussion protocol this week. (Mike Klis)

Chargers

When it comes to blowing late leads, the Chargers are giving the Falcons a serious run for their money in 2020. Los Angeles blew a 21-point lead to the Broncos Sunday and have surrendered leads of 16 points or more in four straight games— a first in NFL history. While Chargers HC Anthony Lynn has been seen as largely safe, blown leads are a recipe for putting coaches on the hot seat. 

“When you’re not winning, you should be, to be honest with you,” Lynn said via Gilbert Manzano of the Orange County Register. “But I don’t let that consume me. I’m never going to turn this around or do what I need to do here if that’s all I’m thinking about.”

Last year, Lynn made a change at offensive coordinator midseason, dumping Ken Whisenhunt and promoting Shane Steichen from quarterback coach. Lynn told reporters he’s not currently considering any coaching staff changes this year, though. 

“Right now, it’s not time to make those changes because this is what we have,” Lynn said. “This is our staff. These are our players. Right now, what we gotta do as a group is figure this out. Why are we blowing these leads that we’re getting and why we’re not finishing games like we need to in the fourth quarter? What do you want to do? Go hire new players? Go hire new coaches right in the middle of the season? You can’t do that. This is what we have. We’re gonna have to figure this (expletive) out right now.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the seat is heating up for Lynn, as he’ll be entering a lame-duck year in 2021 after signing a one-year extension this offseason. 

Raiders

Raiders HC Jon Gruden offered an update on the status of RT Trent Brown, who had to be hospitalized after a pre-game IV accidentally put too much air into his bloodstream. He’s still in Cleveland as it can be dangerous to fly after this type of incident. 

“Trent is still in Cleveland. Very glad to report he is up and seems to be doing well,” Gruden said via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “We’re awaiting the results of some of the extensive tests that they did today and yesterday. I don’t have anything to report other than he had an issue. I want to really thank our medical staff, what a job they did in an emergency situation and we’re just happy he’s up and around and once we get the official word as to what’s wrong with Trent we’ll let you know…We don’t know, really, anything about Trent’s [game] status. The most important thing is that we find out what went wrong. Our prayers are with Trent, certainly, and he’s in the best possible hands he can be in right now. But his availability and his status is not up for discussion right now, as far as we’re concerned.”

• Pro Football Talk reports that Brown will be discharged from a Cleveland hospital on Monday.