AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts CB Xavier Rhodes will get his chance at a revenge game as his former team the Vikings are coming to town in Week 2. Rhodes doesn’t hold any ill will against the team for his departure this offseason as Minnesota elected to rebuild with youth at the position. But he’s like any other player and relishes the chance to play his former teammates. 

“It’s all love,” Rhodes said via Andrew Walker of the team’s website. “I was there for seven years. It was a brotherhood when I was there, and it’s still a brotherhood to this day. So it’s going to be good going against those guys. When I was practicing against those guys when I was there, we were competing each and every play so it’s going to be the same right there on the field. But I’m going to be able to tackle them this time.”

• Per the Athletic’s Stephen Holder, Colts HC Frank Reich highlighted RB Nyheim Hines as a player the team has a lot of confidence in alongside second-round RB Jonathan Taylor and RB Jordan Wilkins: “He’s not just the third-down back… He’s an every-down runner… Jonathan will get the bulk of the carries but Nyheim and Wilkins will be a change of pace.”

Jaguars

• The Jaguars hosted free agent DB Doug Middleton for a visit on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Texans

• Per the Athletic’s Aaron Reiss, Texans RB Duke Johnson appeared ready to practice in full, though he had his ankle taped. Johnson previously had been deemed unlikely to play this week but HC Bill O’Brien termed him as day-to-day on Tuesday. 
• Washington HC Ron Rivera revealed Washington was unaware the Texans had made WR DeAndre Hopkins available for trade until he was dealt to the Cardinals. (Bob McManaman)

Titans

It’s been a tumultuous start to first-round OT Isaiah Wilson‘s tenure with the Titans. Wilson has landed on the COVID-19 list twice, first when reporting to training camp and again last week. He received a trespassing citation while attending a college party and was just recently arrested and charged with a DUI. Titans HC Mike Vrabel, however, said the team has reason to believe Wilson’s mistakes are due to immaturity and he’s had the wakeup call he needs. 

“We’re comfortable with the person that we brought in here,” Vrabel said via Erik Bacharach of the Nashville Tennesseean. “…There’s good people that make mistakes and there’s bad people. And I don’t think Isaiah is a bad person. We don’t condone that behavior whatsoever. It’s unacceptable. But as long as there is an honest effort to improve, we’re going to put forth that effort as a team and organization to help any issues that they have.” 

• Per Bacharach, Titans OLB Jadeveon Clowney thought his debut went “pretty good” for having just seven days with the team and one padded practice. He had three total tackles, including one for a loss: “Still rusty. Didn’t know much of what was going on, but just listening. I know what I hear. Getting back in shape is going to be the biggest thing.”
• Titans Insider’s Terry McCormick points out the Titans have some key players like TE Jonnu Smith, WR Corey Davis, LB Jayon Brown and Clowney on expiring contracts. They could use the cap space they freed by restructuring S Kevin Byard on extensions this season. 
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes the Titans could look to extend Smith early this season if he shows he’s comfortable with the increased workload as a starter. 
• Titans OLB Vic Beasley is getting closer to making his Tennessee debut according to Vrabel: “Hopefully we can get him back out there as soon as he’s ready.” (Michael Giardi)