AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

• 1075TheFan.com’s Kevin Bowen notes Colts second-round RB Jonathan Taylor and RB Nyheim Hines will have bigger roles now that RB Marlon Mack is out for the year with a torn Achilles. 
• He adds Colts RB Jordan Wilkins will also likely get more than the one snap he played Sunday. 
• If the Colts need more help at running back, Bowen notes they have RB Darius Anderson on the practice squad and recently worked out Javon Leake, Taquan Mizzell, Khalfani Muhammad, C.J. Prosise, Cameron Scarlett and Jordan Scarlett.
• Other free agents available include Devonta Freeman, Lamar Miller, Theo Riddick, Isaiah Crowell and former Colts Robert Turbin and Spencer Ware. 
• Former Colts RB Jonathan Williams who saw some action late last year is also a possibility, as he’s on Detroit’s practice squad right now and could be signed to the active roster. 
• Colts HC Frank Reich confirmed Taylor would become the starter and that Hines would have a bigger role: “He looked good yesterday. Jonathan’s ready. He’ll step up and do a great job.” (Andrew Walker)

Jaguars

It’s not hard to surmise the Jaguars were tired of hearing all the talk about tanking in 2020 in order to get the No. 1 overall pick and QB Trevor Lawrence in 2021. The team channeled that into an upset, 27-20 win against the heavily favored Colts on Sunday, and Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew in particular was spectacular, missing on just one of his 20 pass attempts.  

“We still got things that we can do better but 19-for-20 is something that you can’t argue with,” Jaguars WR DJ Chark said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “He played with confidence throughout the whole way and that’s something that we expect from him because that’s who he is. He comes to work. You don’t really worry about next year’s draft or anything like that because we have a whole year to play and we’re going to make the most of it. He’s a baller. At the end of the day, whether someone agrees or not, the numbers show it. And his play shows it as well.”

• Breer says Jaguars HC Doug Marrone was the main voice pushing for the team to move on from RB Leonard Fournette. 
• Marrone said Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook was a healthy scratch on Sunday because he missed so much time during training camp. He added Westbrook is “working his way to get back.” (John Shipley)

Texans

• Per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Texans RB Duke Johnson is considered week-to-week with his ankle injury and will likely miss Week 2 against the Ravens. He could be back by Week 3. 
• Texans OC Bill O’Brien termed Johnson as day-to-day: “He’s tough. It’s a good thing we have an extra day to prepare.” (Aaron Wilson)
• O’Brien highlighted DT P.J. Hall, who the Texans signed after the Raiders dumped him following a failed trade, as someone who was impressive: “P.J. did some good things. P.J. definitely showed up on Thursday night and made a few plays that were good to see. Let’s see if we can build on that and keep going.” (Wilson)