AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts’ RT Braden Smith was inactive against the Packers after HC Frank Reich and his staff found that Smith’s thumb injury was not healed well enough and could not be properly protected.

“We could not find a way to protect his thumb that he could get comfortable and that he could play,” Reich said, via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. “Hopefully it gets better. We’ll experiment with it every day and as soon as he gets to the point where he can function and do what he has to do with his right hand, then he’ll be back out there.”

Reich also spoke about the way LG Quenton Nelson is performing so far this season.

“Quenton is playing really good, in both the run and the pass,” Reich said. “The hold calls, they are going to come. I have no complaints about the officiating. The guys are calling what they see. We have to be better fundamentally and technique-wise. Overall, if you look at Quenton’s grade for 65-70 plays a game, he’s been playing very good football.” 

Jaguars

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the entire Jaguars defensive coaching staff had to work remotely due to COVID-19 protocols. Contact tracing is underway to determine if anyone will be out for this week’s game against the Browns. 
• Jaguars placed DE Josh Allen, CB D.J. Hayden and S Daniel Thomas on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Jaguars placed K Chase McLaughlin on the COVID-19 list. 
• Jaguars promoted RB Nathan Cottrell to their active roster. 
• Jaguars signed LB Reggie Gilbert off of the Cardinals’ practice squad. 
• Jaguars signed S Doug Middleton to their practice squad. 

Texans

• Texans’ LT Laremy Tunsil and QB Josh McCown were both absent from practice, both due to illnesses that are unrelated to COVID-19. (Aaron Wilson)
• Texans signed C Cohl Cabral their practice squad.
• Texans released DE Kendall Futrell from their practice squad.

Titans

After signing with the Raiders practice squad, former Titans OLB Vic Beasley addressed his exit from Tennessee after signing a one-year, $9.5 million deal as a free agent this offseason. Beasley’s short tenure with the Titans was rocky from the start, as he missed the first 10 days of training camp with an unexcused absence. He took a while to ramp up and made little impact on the field in the five games he played, leading to his release. 

“I think it was simple like the GM said, he said they wasn’t liking what they saw,” Beasley said via Paul Kuharsky. “…I didn’t come early to training camp, so I guess that wasn’t a good look from me on my part for the team. There were a lot of things that played into that decision.”

Beasley was asked multiple times about his effort with the Titans. He mostly demurred — “I don’t want to make no stories, boss” — but he did offer some defense. 

“Everybody has their opinion. If you say the effort isn’t there, then that’s just your opinion,” Beasley said. 

• The Titans haven’t had any contact with former LB Wesley Woodyard as a potential replacement after putting Brown on injured reserve Tuesday. (Kuharsky)