AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts HC Frank Reich said that their offense going to an uptempo no-huddle system in Week 10 against the Titans proved very beneficial. 

“It worked really well (against the Titans),” Reich said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan. “It really gave us a good spark, good energy. The guys handled it really, really well.”

Reich pointed out that he has experience with Colts veteran QB Philip Rivers running an uptempo offense while with the Chargers from 2013-2015. 

“(Rivers) does thrive in it,” Reich says. “We basically were no-huddle for three years to tell you the truth – for the better part of three years. We weren’t always up-tempo, but we basically didn’t huddle for three years.”

Reich said he does not intend on using a no-huddle offense every game and that it will be a “game-by-game decision.” 

“What is the danger of doing it all the time?” Reich said. “I’ve played and coached in offenses where we did it for 16 games and for most of the game in all 16 games. It can catch up to you a little bit. I just think it has to be a tool and you keep mixing it in. How much or how little, it is by design but it’s also by feel. That will be a game-by-game decision.”

• Ian Rapoport reports that Colts OT Braden Smith sustained a thumb injury in Thursday’s practice that required stitches but he is not expected to miss any time. 
• Colts ST coach Bubba Ventrone will also miss Week 11’s game after coming down with COVID 19-related reasons.
• Stephen Holder notes that ST assistant Frank Ross will fill in for Ventrone on the sidelines on Sunday. Ventrone conducted meetings virtually in recent days. 
• The Indianapolis Colts are bringing in three tight ends for tryouts, according to Aaron Wilson. The players trying out are Cheyenne O’Grady and former quarterbacks Nick Fitzgerald and Tyree Jackson.
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 11: TE Jack Doyle (concussion), CB Isaiah Rodgers (knee), T Braden Smith (thumb), TE Noah Togiai (knee), DE Kemoko Turay (ankle)

Jaguars

• Jaguars HC Doug Marrone said QB Gardner Minshew (thumb) has not recovered from his injury and would not feel comfortable playing Minshew aside from “handing off” to running backs. (Michael Giardi)
• OUT for Week 11: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring), TE James O’Shaughnessy (knee).
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 11: QB Gardner Minshew (thumb), WR Collin Johnson (hamstring), CB Sidney Jones (Achilles).

Texans

“We’ll interview offensive and defensive coaches,” McNair said via the Houston Chronicle. “We’re going to cast a broad net. We’ll leave no stone unturned.”

• The Texans are bringing in C Cohl Cabral, DB Manny Patterson, and DB Howard Wilson for workouts this week. (Albert Breer)
• OUT for Week 11: S Michael Thomas (shoulder)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 11: P Bryan Anger (right quadricep), RB Cullen Gillaspia (back), G Senio Kelemete (concussion), LB Jacob Martin (not injury related), DE Charles Omenihu (hamstring), WR Kenny Stills (back), T Laremy Tunsil (illness)

Titans

• Titans HC Mike Vrabel said that he does not expect LG Rodger Saffold (ankle), WR Adam Humphries (concussion), or CB Adoree’ Jackson (knee) to play in Week 11. (Jim Wyatt)
• Vrabel indicated that Titans OLBs coach Shane Bowen will continue calling their defensive plays. (Wyatt)
• Titans WR A.J. Brown said Tennessee is trying to “get back on track” after losing three of their last four games: “We’ve been a little shaky the last few weeks, and we’re trying to get back on track,” per Wyatt. 
• OUT for Week 11: LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee), WR Adam Humphries (concussion), CB Adoree’ Jackson (knee), DT Larrell Murchison (rib), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), G Rodger Saffold (ankle)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 11: C Ben Jones (knee), CB Kareem Orr (groin)