AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo writes that while there’s no fracture in Dolphins first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa‘s thumb, he experienced swelling which caused him to be downgraded for Sunday’s game. 
• Garafolo adds if the swelling doesn’t abate it could keep Tagovailoa out for multiple weeks. 
• Following Sunday’s game, Dolphins HC Brian Flores said of Tagovailoa: “If he’s healthy, he’s the guy. I don’t know how many different ways I have to say it.” (Adam Beasley)

Jets

• Jets HC Adam Gase was adamant following Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins that he did not take over the play-calling. Gase says it was the same operation as it has been with OC Dowell Loggains calling plays. (Brian Costello)
• Gase reiterated that he is not concerned right now with his job status and added that it’s something he can’t control. (Connor Hughes)
• According to Gase, it was a team decision for OL Alex Lewis to inactive on Sunday and not injury-related. Gase added that they will handle everything “in-house.” (Connor Hughes)

Patriots

• Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Patriots QB Cam Newton said that his accuracy on short passes has been a point of emphasis for him and the coaching staff. Newton has been surgical downfield but more inconsistent on short range balls: “Coach talks about it all the time, to have great fundamentals when you need it the most. Sometimes the ball just gets away from you … you throw a bad pass. I just have to be more conscientious of those type of throws.”
• Reiss notes DE Derek Rivers being waived was just a matter of time, as the former third-round pick had been just a situational pass rusher and played limited snaps on special teams. 
• Reiss adds Patriots 2019 fourth-round G Hjalte Froholdt just hasn’t developed much as evidenced by his struggles in limited snaps and the Patriots elected to move on. 
• Patriots S Adrian Phillips said of his knee injury: “I just got kicked in the knee right on the bone. It was nothing serious. I needed it to calm down, and eventually it calmed down.” (Doug Kyed)