AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

• Per Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star, Colts HC Frank Reich reiterated RB Marlon Mack is still the team’s starting back: “He’s earned that, and he looks fantastic.”
• Colts TE Trey Burton‘s calf injury could impact his availability for the start of the regular season, though the team will know more in a few days. (Zak Keefer)

Jaguars

• Mark Long of the Associated Press says the Jaguars coaching staff has been pushing for years to get rid of RB Leonard Fournette and the team finally obliged Monday. 
• Jaguars HC Doug Marrone said the decision to release Fournette was made because he thought it made the team more competitive: “At the end of the day, I’ve got to be able to field a team that gives us the best chance to win…” (Michael DiRocco)
• Marrone told reporters he thinks the backs that were behind Fournette, including Chris Thompson, Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo, give the team a better chance to win. (DiRocco)
• Marrone disagreed with the idea the Jaguars are tanking in 2020: “If that happens, I’m not going to be here.” (Long)
• Marrone confirmed there was basically no trade market for Fournette despite Jacksonville’s efforts: “We couldn’t get anything. Fifth, sixth … we couldn’t get anything.” (John Shipley)
• The Jaguars are in the process of settling a grievance with Fournette regarding their decision to void his $4.2 million remaining in guarantees after his suspension by the team. If Jacksonville wins, that would come off their cap. (Ian Rapoport)

Texans

Titans

• NBC Sports’ Peter King notes there were rumors last year out of Atlanta that OLB Vic Beasley had fallen out of love with football. Beasley signed with the Titans this offseason on a one-year, $9.5 million deal but was 10 days late to report to camp and hasn’t practiced yet. 
• King also notes the team is high on third-round RB Darrynton Evans with a source close to the team saying Evans will be the NFL’s most interesting rookie this year: “Not ‘could be.’ It’s ‘will be.’ Darrynton Evans has a chance to be a poor man’s Alvin Kamara.” 
• Titans HC Mike Vrabel said of Beasley: “We don’t put timetables on players (for return). He’s expected to keep working, and to keep improving.” (Jim Wyatt)