Colts
The Colts made QB Philip Rivers a priority free-agent signing this offseason because they believed he’d help unlock their passing game. But on Sunday Rivers was arguably holding the Colts back again in a 32-23 loss to the Browns. Rivers had a horrendous pick-six, took a safety and tossed another fourth-quarter interception into triple coverage. Despite all that, Colts HC Frank Reich defended him after the game.
“Philip is playing really good football. That is the least of my worries,” Reich said via NFL Media’s Kevin Patra. “Philip is playing good football. You are going to have mistakes when you get in situations like that. I know we would want the interception back, but the safety, is on me. You take that away and you get that one mistake, in my mind, that was the big factor. That mistake was not the big factor, the safety, but the one big mistake with Philip was the interception. That is it.”
- Reich said the team hasn’t considered giving backup QB Jacoby Brissett another shot at the starting job yet: “No. No consideration of that. Philip is our quarterback.” (Joel Erickson)
Jaguars
- According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Jaguars S Josh Jones is not expected to be suspended for a helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in his ejection Sunday. It will be reviewed for a fine, however.
- Jaguars HC Doug Marrone says the goal is to get K Josh Lambo back in two weeks against the Chargers. (Michael DiRocco)
- Jaguars TE Tyler Eifert left Sunday’s game with a stinger but the team is optimistic he’ll be able to return for Week 6. (Pelissero)
Texans
More change is certainly coming for the Texans in the coming months after firing HC/GM Bill O’Brien. The team is short on draft picks and financial flexibility and clearly needs to rebuild despite notching its first win of the season Sunday. Despite being a top two or three player in franchise history, Texans DL J.J. Watt isn’t even assured of a spot on next year’s roster. However, the 31-year-old Watt wouldn’t shy away from the rebuild if given the opportunity to stick around, saying he wants to finish his career in Houston.
“I’ve been here for a long time, and there’s nothing that I want to do more than see this city win a championship, and bring this city a championship,” Watt said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “That’s been my goal from the beginning, and that remains my goal today. That is the No. 1 goal, and I’m not going to stop working toward that until they kick me out.”
- According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans have hired Jed Hughes, the vice chairman for the search firm Korn Ferry, to lead their search for a new general manager and head coach.
- Schefter says Houston wants to feel comfortable with its GM before hiring its next head coach. Both hires will need to come together quickly after the season.
- The Texans are working out WR Artavis Scott. (Aaron Wilson)
Titans
- NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports the Titans held practice Sunday afternoon after getting clearance from the NFL.
- According to Pelissero, the team took extra precautions, which included masks/mouth shields on players.
- Tennessee held a walkthrough Saturday, but this was the first real practice for them since Sept. 25, before the COVID-19 outbreak surfaced.
- The Titans’ coach who tested positive for COVID-19 was also isolated and contact tracing is ongoing.
- The Bills-Titans game remains on schedule to be played Tuesday.
- The Titans are hosting TE Parker Hesse for a visit. (Aaron Wilson)
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