AFC Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor said he doesn’t feel any pressure to continue producing in his already strong season. 

“I don’t think there’s pressure ’cause everyone wants to be the best each and every single week,” Taylor said, via George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin. “So everyone is just working to be the best every single week. So it’s no pressure ’cause everyone’s doing the same thing. It’s just who’s gonna execute, and who’s gonna actually make it happen?”

Colts HC Frank Reich mentioned he’s open to getting Taylor more work.

“I mean, believe me,” Reich said. “There’s games that I hope he gets 30, 35 touches.”

“It’s on us getting a lead late in the game and you’re in four-minute offense, and we’ve ended some games where we’ve got a six-minute drive,” Reich added. “When you’re in these back-and-forth games, I just feel like I’m going to mix it up a little bit. Even last week with whatever, he had 16 carries, and like I mentioned he had six others that were called to him that don’t go to him, he had three touches in the pass game, and then he had two other runs.”

Taylor said that he’s not concerned about increasing his carries and ultimately wants to be an efficient runner. 

“A lot of people dream about 15 carries,” Taylor said. “A lot of offenses wish that they could get 15 carries, and especially in a pass-happy league like this. It’s all about what are you doing with your carries? Are you being efficient? Are you an efficient runner? It’s all about being an efficient passer, an efficient runner or an efficient receiver. Whatever you’re doing, just make sure you’re being efficient because that’s what’s gonna win you football games.”

Texans

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans will look to trade Deshaun Watson this offseason, once again, and “there will be interest” in him. 
• Texans GM Nick Caserio acknowledged that they were unable to trade Watson at the deadline and provided no further comments: “In the end no trade came to fruition. I don’t have any comment on the mechanics and logistics.”  (Aaron Wilson)
• Caserio also had no comments whether Watson’s legal situation affected trade discussions: “I don’t really want to comment.” (Wilson)
• Caserio reiterated that he must be sensitive with Watson’s ongoing legal situation: “It’s a serious situation. We have to be respectful of both sides. My focus has to be on the things we can control.” (Wilson)
• As for dealing RB Mark Ingram to the Saints, Caserio said it was the “right thing to do” for Ingram: “Very unique situation. We felt it was the right thing to do by Mark and for our organization.” (Wilson)
• Caserio believes trading DE Charles Omenihu to 49ers in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick was good for both sides: “Charles was a good player for this team. In the end, we thought this made sense for him and for our team. He’s going to a good organization.”  (Wilson)
• The Texans hosted S Adrian Colbert and DE Chris Smith for visits on Tuesday.  (Wilson)

Titans

• According to PFF’s Doug Kyed, the Titans are expected to replace RB Derrick Henry with a committee approach with involvement from veterans Adrian Peterson and D’Onta Foreman, while Jeremy McNichols continues as the third-down back.
• Paul Kuharsky writes to not expect the Titans to claim recently waived WR Desean Jackson.
• Titans HC Mike Vrabel mentioned he gave Peterson a number of tasks when signing him to the practice squad including: “To figure out what to do, play hard, learn the playbook, take care of the football and don’t do dumb stuff to hurt the team.” (Turron Davenport)
• The Titans hosted DB Nate Brooks, DT Niles Scott, and DT Xavier Williams for workouts on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)