AFC Notes: Jaguars, Steelers, Titans

Jaguars

• A rumor surfaced that the Jaguars have DE Yannick Ngakoue on the trade block. 
• However, Jaguars spokesman Tad Dickman has denied the report, calling it “completely false.”
• Mike Kaye notes that the Jaguars have no reason to put Ngakoue on the trade block and he also has little reason to ask for a trade, considering he’s in position to leverage the franchise tag next year into a long-term deal or hit the open market.
• A league source also tells Kaye that the report is “false.”

Steelers

Steelers QB Mason Rudolph says he has no plans shying away from contact, even after suffering a concussion a few weeks ago. 

“My dad’s a linebacker, my brother’s a defensive end — a lot of times I wish I could have more contact in the game because I truly love it,” Rudolph said this week, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “That’s kind of the backyard player that I am. So I’m not going to be gun shy at all. If anything, I’ll be seeking it out, contact, earlier in the game to get the rust [off] and know what it feels like to get hit.”

• The Steelers officially list LB Mark Barron (hamstring), LB Ulysees Gilbert (back), and RB Jaylen Samuels (knee) as questionable for Week 8. 

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site believes WR Adam Humphries‘ knowledge of the Buccaneers’ defense will benefit him in Week 8’s game.
• Wyatt writes that Titans QB Marcus Mariota‘s confidence began to decrease as he took more hits in the pocket. Wyatt notes that Mariota was sacked 155 times in 61 total starts.
• Titans’ veteran TE Delanie Walker said his ankle injury is related to the dislocation he suffered last year. (Erik Bacharach
• Tennessee has officially ruled out Walker from Week 8. (Jim Wyatt)