AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Tim Tebow, Texans, Titans

Colts

• Colts HC Frank Reich says the team feels good about where QB Carson Wentz is at in the two-week stage in his recovery while avoiding specifics on any return date: “We’re at the 2-week window. We feel good about where we’re at at the 2-week window. … I don’t see the advantage of trying to project that out. We feel good about where we’re at.” (Joel A. Erickson)
• Reich says he “continues to be optimistic about his return. But it still doesn’t make any sense for me to try to predict when that’ll be.” He adds that there still could be setbacks as Wentz progresses through rehab, but everything going well thus far. (Jim Ayello)
• Owner Jim Irsay understands the team has to find an answer at quarterback, and is hopeful that answer Wentz: “We (just) have to solve the QB position. And we firmly believe, unquestionably, Carson has that sort of skill. He has the character, has all that it takes to solve it for us. He just has to stay healthy. He wants to. He’s doing everything he can.” (Ayello)
• Irsay said during the Colts’ preseason TV broadcast that he “lobbied hard” for the team to consider trading up for a quarterback in the draft. However, Wentz’s availability ultimately made more sense for them this offseason: “I believe in developing our own (quarterbacks), and even before we made the trade for Carson, I lobbied hard and talked about the aspect of what it would take to move up, who could we get and developing our own. But Carson presented the right opportunity for us, and it was the right move to make.” (Ayello)
• Irsay says he “absolutely without question” believes Wentz can be an elite quarterback and the long-term answer for the Colts: “The best course (for us) is Carson being our guy, being healthy and being here for 8-10 years, that’s really our hope.” (Zak Keefer)
• Colts WR Parris Campbell and sixth-round QB Sam Ehlinger missed practice with non-COVID illnesses. (George Bremer)
• The Colts worked out DB Natrell Jamerson and DB Bryan Mills in an attempt to improve depth in their secondary. (Aaron Wilson)

Jaguars

• Jaguars HC Urban Meyer said releasing TE Tim Tebow was “the right thing” and that this could be it for Tebow in the NFL. (Ian Rapoport)
• Meyer added: “It’s tough… We knew that it was an uphill battle for Tim. Players loved him. Locker room loved him.”
• Jaguars CB Tre Herndon is week-to-week with an MCL sprain. (Around the NFL)

Texans

• After receiving an MRI on his shoulder, Texans WR Anthony Miller did not sustain any structural damage, according to Aaron Wilson. Miller, who the Texans traded for this offseason before sending WR Randall Cobb back to Green Bay, could return by the first or second game.
• Texans HC David Culley said following the trade of CB Keion Crossen to the Giants that GM Nick Caserio ultimately wanted draft capital next season and the team felt good about their depth at the cornerback position: “It was a good situation for our football team. Nick felt like getting some draft picks for next year and it’s a situation where we do have depth there. It was a situation where we felt like our football team got better.” (Mark Berman)
• Culley added QB Deshaun Watson isn’t injured and is “getting done what he needs to get done” in meetings. (Sarah Barshop)
• Texans DE Jacob Martin is enjoying bulking up this year to play defensive end after being a 3-4 outside linebacker the past few seasons: “I get to gorge a little bit more. I get to eat the fun stuff a little bit more often. That’s always a plus. I’ve been meaning to do a 10,000-calorie day. Whether it’s an extra-large meat lover’s pizza or a Brazilian steakhouse, I want to try it.” (Wilson)
• Texans DT Ross Blacklock said there is a different tone for the team this year: “Guys are just trusting each other, guys are respecting each other, more understanding of each other. You’ll see it when we play. We all play together as one team. No guy is selfish on this team. Everything’s about team, team, team.” (Wilson)

Titans

Titans HC Mike Vrabel says that first-round CB Caleb Farley is progressing but still isn’t ready to play, citing both physical concerns and the rookie’s grasp of the playbook.

“He is just not ready. In all phases. He is just not ready. He hasn’t had as much practice as everybody else has and there has been some really bright spots,” Vrabel said, via TitanInsider.com. “He is a quick learner and corrects things, but some of these young guys you have to be out there practicing and getting everything. He is focused and locked in, and he is doing everything that we are asking him to do. We will see where he is at after these practices and hopeful that his reps could increase from what they were here in Nashville.”

Vrabel has said the Titans hope to increase Farley’s workload this week, including in practices this week against the Bucs on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We will see where he is and see if we can keep progressing. See if we can keep adding stuff on to what he has done and he hasn’t had any setbacks. He has been out here doing the reps and the predetermined amount of work that we have asked him to do,” Vrabel said.

• Titans WR A.J. Brown said he is trying to learn as much from WR Julio Jones as possible: “Just trying to soak everything in. He’s a great pro.” (SiriusXM NFL)
• The Titans worked out LB Jamal Carter. (Aaron Wilson)
• Titans DB Tedric Thompson was carted off from practice on Monday. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. (Paul Kuharsky)