AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts GM Chris Ballard has high praise for LG Quenton Nelson, despite the fact that Nelson does not mince words with him when it comes to the state of the franchise.

“Quenton is a pretty rare competitor,” Ballard told Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. “He might be as good a teammate as I’ve ever been around in terms of care for others, wanting them to do well and then in his passion for the game.

Ballard cites an instance in which Nelson called him out for not being matched up against Chiefs DT Chris Jones.

“We have a bunch of injuries that week and we’ve got a small defensive end playing three-technique on the scout team,” Ballard explains. “(Nelson) comes sprinting by me, ‘What the (bleep) Ballard?! We are playing Chris Jones and you have a 230-pound defensive end (across from me)! How the hell am I supposed to get better!?’ “He sprints back. People’s eyes (are huge) because he’s yelling at me. I love it when players give me crap. Boy, I love that. That’s great. That’s good stuff…That’s what you want. When they know they can be honest with you and they know that I’m not going to cut them, that’s a good thing.”

Texans

According to the Associated Press, Jefferson County attorney Mike O’Connell while police had probable cause to arrest Texans WR Kenny Stills and 86 other protestors, “in the interest of justice and the promotion of the free exchange of ideas, we will dismiss that charge.”

• The Athletic’s Aaron Reiss says Texans QB A.J. McCarron is fully locked into the No. 2 job. 
• Because the third running back has been limited to mostly special teams, Reiss expects Texans RB Buddy Howell to be the favorite for that spot, with RBs Karan Higdon and Scottie Phillips battling for a spot on the practice squad.
• Reiss notes Texans FB Cullen Gillaspia‘s job isn’t secure just because he’s the only fullback on the roster.  
• The battle between WRs Keke Coutee and DeAndre Carter for backup slot receiver is one of the biggest of camp, per Reiss, and a spot on the roster could be up for grabs. 
• Reiss adds TEs Jordan Thomas and 2019 third-rounder Kahale Warring are battling to make the team, while TEs Darren Fells and Jordan Akins are locks to make the team and start. 
• Reiss mentions Texans fourth-round OT Charlie Heck and OT Roderick Johnson should round out Houston’s depth chart at tackle. 
• At guard, while veteran Senio Kelemete has been speculated as a potential cap casualty, Reiss points out there’s not a lot of experience on the interior, which could allow Kelemete to stick.

Titans

Titans RB Derrick Henry knows that DE Jadeveon Clowney could make a large impact in Tennessee and says that the team would welcome Clowney with open arms.

“He’s a great player. He’s a furious player,” Henry said Thursday, via Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean. “He’s been playing at a high level for a while. If he wants to sign with Tennessee, we would definitely welcome him with open arms. Hopefully, if they’re talking, we can get something done.”