AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich said he is “really excited” about sixth-round WR Dezmon Patmon despite being a healthy scratch so far this season.

“He’s healthy and we are really excited about Dez,” Reich said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan. “He really looks good and is progressing. We feel really confident in the group of receivers that we have. I just think it’s a matter of time before Dez gets his shot. He’s doing all the right things and looks very good.” 

Colts DC Matt Eberflus praised DT DeForest Buckner and said the defensive tackle has been better than expected. 

“What I’ve learned is he is better than I thought,” Eberflus said. “The practice player, he is better than I thought. In terms of him playing the run, he’s better than I thought. Him rushing the passer and him staying alive is better than I thought. And then more importantly, his character, who he is as a man as a father, is better than I thought, because I didn’t know the guy, know the man, per se. That’s been a pleasure getting to know him and his family better.”

As for Colts LB Darius Leonard returning after missing two weeks due to a groin injury, Eberflus said the linebacker’s “presence” at practice and on the field is the biggest factor of his return. 

“I would say his presence,” Eberflus said. “I know that sounds simplistic, but it’s deeper than just the word. Him being in there at practice, his emotion, his passion, certainly is contagious. We all know that. He’s contagious for the entire building, when he’s in the locker room and on the practice field. So just his passion and enthusiasm that he brings every single day because this guy comes to work every single day. He’s one of our hardest workers, if not the hardest THE hardest worker on the practice field. He brings it and he means it when he brings it. It’s coming from the heart with him. His presence on the football field is certainly felt as well. We obviously have him (lined up) right over the football, on the hash, right over the quarterback. That’s by design because we feel that he’s one of our premier players. He is a definite presence in there, in the run and pass game, so we are excited to get him back.”

Jaguars

After a season-opening upset over the Colts, the Jaguars have looked a lot more like the team everyone expected to see going into the season and have dropped six straight games. However, that hasn’t impacted HC Doug Marrone‘s energy, who rightfully feels like his job is on the line and he doesn’t want to go out without a fight. 

“I’m not going to bulls–t anyone, I’m kind of fired up,” Marrone said via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. “And I know you guys are probably sitting like, ‘What the hell’s going on? How can this guy be fired up? They just lost six games in a row,’ and I understand that. I totally do but I’m going to bust my ass, I mean I’m telling you now. I’m going to look at some things, I want to go a little bit outside the box. I want to challenge these coaches and challenge these players and see. I’m going to do whatever can to get the best out of this team and best out of these players.”

Texans

• Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes other teams have inquired with the Texans about WRs Will Fuller and Randall Cobb, but the offers haven’t tempted Houston to this point. 
• Texans activated WR Isaiah Coulter from injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Texans placed G Max Scharping on the COVID-19 list.

Titans

• Terry McCormick mentions the Titans promoting OT David Quessenberry likely “doesn’t speak well” for first-round OT Isaiah Wilson playing in Week 8. 
• Titans designated RB Senorise Perry to return from injured reserve. (NFLTR)