AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans

Colts

• Colts GM Chris Ballard said of QB Andrew Luck: “Very comfortable where he’s at. Working on his strength part of it, throwing motion. But he’s in a good spot guys. I feel good where he’s at, feel good about where he’s going. Keep working and getting back to playing football. His health is our No. 1 priority.” (Mike Wells)
• Regarding concerns about Luck’s health, Ballard said: “We traded the third pick in the draft to move back to six. I think that said we’re pretty confident in where he’s at.” (Greg Doyel)
• According to Ballard, they’ve identified eight “premium” players not including quarterbacks and they could be open to the possibility of trading back again in round one: “We have identified couple more players that are premium players, so we open are to it. Will we do it? It just depends on how far back we are willing to move.” (Mike Wells)
• Ballard also said they could consider packaging some of their mid-round picks to move back into round one for a player. (George Bremer)

Jaguars

• Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell said Friday that no decision has been regarding whether they’ll pick up DE Dante Fowler‘s fifth-year option as of now. (Ryan O’Halloran)
• Caldwell said they would “ideally” add a running back that is similar in style to Leonard Fournette if select someone at the position in order to fill in for Fournette and allow T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant to maintain their current roles. (Ryan O’Halloran)

Texans

Texans GM Brian Gaine tells John McClain of the Houston Chronicle that once the season starts, they plan on shutting down negotiations with players.

“I would much prefer contracts be done before the season starts,” Gaine said. “When the season starts, we want our players and coaches to be focused on football performance and not the business part of it.

“The preparation you go through Monday through Saturday to get ready to play on Sunday, there’s a large emphasis on focus, intensity and dedication to get ready to play [so] we would much prefer those deals to be done before we start the season. Our intent is exclusively on winning games and not the business side. We try to do our contracts consistently so there’s a standardized format of how we do contracts, how we pay players and how we structure those contracts. As it relates to executing deals with players and their representatives, I think it’s the best business practice to do it before we get to the regular season.”

• Texans GM Brian Gaine told reporters on Friday that they’ll always discuss potential trades up the board, but he would prefer to move back “and get more at-bats.” (John McClain)
• Regarding the team’s lack of early draft picks, Gaine admitted: “Certainly, there’s a challenge not having a first-round or second-round pick.” (Aaron Wilson)
• Gaine said of a new deal for OLB Jadeveon Clowney: “I’m optimistic that something will get done.” (Aaron Wilson)