AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

February 28, 2018

Colts new HC Frank Reich told reporters on Wednesday that QB Andrew Luck has continued to check every box and has been progressing as expected. Reich added that Luck will be with the team’s starting quarterback April 2 for the start of their offseason program. (Tom Pelissero)
Reich did, however, say that Luck still has not thrown a football, but has been working with weighted balls and progressing as expected. (Tom Pelissero)
Reich mentioned that Colts GM Chris Ballard and RB Frank Gore had a talk after the season and they”re expected to move on from him and get younger at running back. (Kevin Bowen)
Reich stressed that protecting the quarterback is their “top priority”: “I can assure you that protecting the quarterback will be a top priority.” (Mark Maske)
Ballard added that they will see what impending free-agent CB Rashaan Melvin’s price is on the open market, but that the Colts would like to re-sign him “at the right price.” (George Bremer)

The Indianapolis Colts announced that they have officially hired 13 assistant coaches to their staff, including:

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said they have the cap space to re-sign both CB Aaron Colvin and WR Allen Robinson this offseason. (Ryan O’Halloran)

Texans GM Brian Gaine said they’re evaluating the possibility of getting a contract extension in place for OLB Jadeveon Clowney prior to regular season. (Aaron Wilson)
Gaine also mentioned ILB Benardrick McKinney as another core player they would like to sign to a long-term deal.
Texans HC Bill O’Brien said QB Deshaun Watson (ACL) is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab. (James Palmer)
O’Brien added that “no decision” has been made regarding the future of TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, whose career could be in jeopardy due to sustaining three concussions last season. (Aaron Wilson)
According to O’Brien, the Texans are upbeat about RB D’Onta Foreman’s recovery from a torn Achilles and he’s a bit ahead of schedule at this point. (Aaron Wilson)