AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

“He wants the ball, and I don’t think it was him settling to not get it,” Colts QB Philip Rivers said via ESPN’s Mike Wells. “He wanted it every week, yet he was so professional about it. His competitiveness was felt, but he knew he was still helping the team, still having an impact. Thankfully, I’ve been around a lot of guys like that, from the Vincent Jacksons, to Keenan Allens and [Antonio] Gates. The guys that have been the ‘guy’ for a long time. There are games where it’s like they’re not going to let him get it this week, and it’s going to be sprinkled to the other guys, and he may only have two or three targets, but yet we find a way to win. And then you see, we’ve been able to get him going these last three.”

• Rivers told reporters he hasn’t thought about next year yet but at this point, he still wants to play. The Athletic’s Stephen Holder notes Rivers’ goal when he signed was to play two years and says his bet would be Rivers comes back for Indianapolis in 2021. 
• Colts P Rigoberto Sanchez returned to practice just a couple weeks after having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and Colts HC Frank Reich said there’s a chance he could play: “There’s a chance, but we’re not gonna rush it.” (George Bremer)
• Sanchez said he played after receiving his diagnosis and two days before his surgery because doctors told him it wouldn’t get worse: “Wasn’t gonna do that to my team. They weren’t gonna be able to get a punter in time.” (Zak Keefer)
• Colts LT Anthony Castonzo missed practice but had no setbacks from his MCL injury this past week and is expected to play in Week 15 against Houston. (Keefer)