AFC Notes: Browns, Colts, Dolphins

Browns

Browns new GM John Dorsey said that he has a “really good relationship” with HC Hue Jackson and that the team’s ownership has indicated that Jackson will return next season as their head coach.

“Hue and I have a really good relationship,” Dorsey said, via Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal “First off, I think ownership has said that Hue would be back. With that, I’m excited to work with him here. I’ve been really impressed with how Hue messages to the player. I’ve always thought that head coaches should be leader of men, and when I watch Hue talk to the team and how hard guys play for him, that’s exciting.”

Colts

Colts HC Chuck Pagano said QB Andrew Luck will return “at some point” from his lingering right shoulder injury.

“He will be back,” Pagano said, via Mike Wells of ESPN. “He will be back better than ever at some point, and he’ll be back on the field leading this organization and leading this team to multiple, multiple wins and championships. That’s him. It’s unfortunate and I hate it for him. I hate it for him because nobody has sacrificed as much as he has for this organization over the last five years that he’s played. He’s a great teammate, great pro, great player. I can’t say enough about the kid and how bad we all feel for him, especially myself.”

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins must decide on the future of veteran LB Lawrence Timmons, who carries an $8.2 million cap number for next season. It would cost Miami $2.75 million in dead money should they release Timmons.
• According to Jackson, the sense regarding OL Jesse Davis is that he has to “impressed enough” to enter the offseason program as the lead candidate for the right guard or right tackle roles.
• Dolphins HC Adam Gase said recently that he feels good about what he has seen from Davis at both positions: “I feel good about what we’ve seen at both spots. We knew there would be growing pains. The more experience he gains, the better it’s going to get.”
• Regarding the future of Dolphins TE Julius Thomas, Jackson believes that it’s “doubtful” the team retains him for 2018. Jackson mentions that Thomas carries a $6.6 million cap number for next season and there would be no dead money if released. Should the Dolphins retain him, Jackson believes it would be at a lower salary.
• Impending free agent TE Anthony Fasano is another player Jackson views as doubtful to return to Miami.