AFC Notes: Patriots, Ravens, Steelers

Patriots

• According to Kevin Duffy, Patriots third-round RB Damien Harris has not seen many reps after the return to health of RB Sony Michel. 
• Patriots S Duron Harmon confirmed LB coach Jerod Mayo has been calling the plays for the Patriots so far this year. (Michael Giardi)
• Patriots re-signed OL Cole Croston. (NFLTR)
• Patriots waived CB D’Angelo Ross with an injury designation. 
• Patriots traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Falcons for TE Eric Saubert. (NFLTR) 
• Patriots DB Nate Ebner and DB Ken Webster were activated from injured lists. 

Ravens

• The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec writes the Ravens sold high on K Kaare Vedvik, dealing him to the Vikings for a fifth-round pick in case he struggled in other preseason games. 
• Zrebiec notes CB/returner Cyrus Jones and FB/DT Patrick Ricard continue to cement their spots on the team with their versatility. 
• Zrebiec thinks the Ravens could be trying to hide WRs Jaleel Scott and Antoine Wesley with the hopes of sneaking them onto the practice squad. Neither played much during the preseason opener. 
• Zrebiec believes the Ravens will kick the tires on recently-released guards Evan Smith and Vlad Ducasse, as well as explore a trade for an interior offensive lineman. 
• Ravens HC John Harbaugh said first-round WR Marquise Brown being limited was a “part of training camp,” adding no players have any serious injuries. (Zrebiec)
• The Ravens worked out kickers to replace Vedvik on Monday. (Jamison Hensley)
• Harbaugh said Ravens OL Patrick Mekari earned some first-team work at left guard following his performance in the preseason opener: “He played well in the game. So, you play well in the game and had a good practice yesterday, let’s see what he can do. That’s what training camp is for.” (Zrebiec)

Steelers

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin signed a one-year extension that should keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2021 season despite some voices in the organization reportedly being opposed to it. Tomlin says he’s not worried about his longevity in Pittsburgh, instead he just keeps his focus on “the task at hand.”

“I love the job,” Tomlin said via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “I love the challenges it presents. The variables are ever-changing. It’s continually stimulating. In terms of longevity, I don’t think a lot about longevity. I just like to feel the urgency of now. You do that enough, and you win enough, and you get longevity. Longevity has never been my focus. I just want to be a really good football team here in 2019.”