AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich explained they felt it was “really necessary” to sign three running backs in two days, including Charcandrick West, Marquis Young, and James Williams. 

“Really necessary to bring in the 3 guys that we brought in,” said Reich, via Kevin Bowen of 1070TheFan. “We just need to get that position right. We need to have some depth and we need to figure out and see how everything is going to unfold with Jordan, with Jonathan and just need to make sure that we are ready to go.”

Jaguars

Few are projecting the Jaguars to shred teams on offense this season. But with the addition of QB Nick Foles in free agency, there is a sense of optimism in Jacksonville on the offensive side of the football that was largely missing under the previous starter Blake Bortles.

″Nothing against Blake at all. I mean, Blake is a great friend of mine. But to be out there with Nick, a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, obviously, that’s what we’ve been lacking,″ Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook said via John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. ″For me to go out there and pretty much showcase my skill with one of the best quarterbacks in the league is going to be a huge thing. Not only for me, but the guys around me.″

Westbrook is expected to be one of the Jaguars top targets operating chiefly from the slot. Westbrook caught 66 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns in 2018 with Bortles under center. With Foles, a 1,000-yard season for the third-year receiver isn’t out of the question. 

″I really have high expectations not only for myself but for this team,″ Westbrook said. ″With Nick, he makes it a lot easier. Whenever you are running routes, you’re able to go into the ball and don’t have to slow down to catch it in stride and go. That’s a big thing. With Nick even when we miss, he’s the type of person that reloads that play and does it over again to the point where he gets that timing down. You don’t find many quarterback like that.″

Texans

Texans RB Duke Johnson practiced for the first time in a Texans uniform on Tuesday. Johnson had been dealing with a hamstring injury he picked up early in camp with the Browns before he was traded to Houston. 

“It’s great to have him out here,” Texans HC Bill O’Brien said via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson. “He’s a good addition to the team, good in the passing game, good runner, had some good plays today. Good to have him out there.”

“He’s a very instinctive player,” O’Brien added. “Good player, good hands, good route runner, does a good job.”

• Texans WR Will Fuller said he’s feeling good as he recovers from a torn ACL last October. His rehab isn’t done yet, but Fuller says he doesn’t feel like he’s lost any speed and is ready to play in a 16-game season “to prove myself.” (Sarah Barshop)
• X-rays and an MRI confirmed that Texans OT David Steinmetz is out for the season with a broken right ankle. (Wilson)