AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

As a football fan in Indianapolis, Colts TE Jack Doyle was not fond of new QB Philip Rivers when he played for the Chargers.

“I remember those tough losses to the Chargers,” Doyle told Colts.com. “I couldn’t stand Philip Rivers as a kid (laughs), as we all probably did. Then I got to the NFL and you learn the reason I couldn’t stand him is because he was good at what he did and you gain a respect for him when you watch him on film. And we got to see a ton of him because of Coach Reich and Nick (Sirianni) coming over and installing the offense. Then getting to talk to him and hearing him in meetings, he’s just awesome. He’s just a football guy. I love the way he’ll hop in and put some touches on a route in the way he sees it. Getting to know him in that way has been a lot of fun.”

• Andrew Walker of Colts.com says that two battles to keep an eye on are at kicker and kick returner.  Walker adds that K Chase McLaughlin could have a leg up on rookie K Rodrigo Blankenship due to his strong finish to the 2019 season.
• As for the kick returners, Walker mentions RB Nyheim Hines as the most likely to handle return duties, but he will face stiff competition from CB Isaiah Rodgers, WR Parris Campbell, and WR Zach Pascal.

Jaguars

Former Jaguars LB Blair Brown‘s agent, Michael Boyer, said his client’s charges from an April 2019 domestic battery incident have officially been dismissed by Florida’s Duval County Judge Emmet F. Ferguson.

“It’s very important to note that this case has been dismissed before the trial ever started,” Boyer said, via ProFootballTalk. “All egregious acts that Mr. Brown was accused of were completely refuted in court. The police were undoubtedly doing their job in recording initial allegations in their report. However, it was made abundantly clear in court during the pretrial motion that there was no truth to the allegations. Mr. Brown’s case was delayed first by professional staffing turnover at the state attorney’s office and then by circumstances of COVID-19. His professional livelihood was put on hold while the process worked itself out. Mr. Brown is very pleased to put this all behind him and continue his life and football career.” 

Texans

Texans S Justin Reid said wouldn’t want to wear a protective mouth cover given it could restrict his breathing but would “just deal with it” if required. 

“I am not a fan of it,” Reid said. “I think it would be difficult for me to breathe with it. If those are the rules put into place, in my mind, it’s still fair. I’ll just deal with it.” Aaron Wilson. 

As for training camp starting on July 28, Reid said he is “not confident” camp will start on time. 

“I’m not confident that it will start on the 28th, but I am prepared because it is my job. I will be ready under the scenario if it does happen on the 28th, I will be prepared for it,” said Reid, via Wilson.

• Ian Rapoport reports the Texans rookies were told they were to report on July 20th, as they play the Chiefs in the season opener.