AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

• Colts S Malik Hooker (torn meniscus) said of his status this week: “I want to prepare myself to play. But if I’m not healthy enough to play, or I’m not good enough to go out there & be at that level — I mean you saw last week. The guys we got. I mean, you saw it. So I’m not going to panic.” (Jim Ayello)
• The Indianapolis Colts worked out DBs Mike Tyson, Trae Elston, and Isaiah Wharton on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Jaguars

Jaguars’ executive Tom Coughlin said the team decided to trade Jalen Ramsey and feels they now have “great value” for the 2020 and 2021 NFL Drafts. 

“Given the situation with Jalen, we made this decision based on what we thought is in the best interest of the Jacksonville Jaguars, for this season and well into the future. We feel the trade that we struck with the Rams gives us great value for the next two drafts, and we remain very confident that our team today will compete this season for a division title,” said Coughlin, via Michael DiRocco of ESPN. 

Jaguars owner Shad Khan issued the following statement regarding the decision to trade Ramsey to the Rams on Tuesday. 

“The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing just fine today. I give kudos to our football staff for not only managing this matter extremely well, but giving our team and fans a lot to look forward to in years to come. Credit also goes to our players for their professional approach throughout this situation. It did not go unnoticed. Now it’s time to turn the attention again to what’s most important – the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

• Jaguars HC Doug Marrone said he was “not surprised” about the team trading CB Jalen Ramsey: “Not surprised by anything in this league, especially on the business side.” (Michael DiRocco)
• Marrone said he was “trying his best” to convince Ramsey to return and spoke with him shortly after the trade was announced. (Michael DiRocco)

Titans

Titans QB Marcus Mariota told reporters on Wednesday that he was “disappointed” by the decision to bench him in favor of Ryan Tannehill.

“Disappointment. It is going to be different,” Mariota said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s official website. “I haven’t really been in this role for a long time, really at all in my career. So again, I’m going to do everything I can to help Ryan and this team.”

Mariota stressed that this won’t be the end of his career and he expects to be better for it in the end. 

“For me, my expectation was always to be the best player I could be for this team,” Mariota said. “And, until the day that I die, I’m going to believe I gave it all I got. No matter what, I can learn and grow from this situation. This isn’t going to bring me down. This isn’t going to end my career. This is an opportunity for me to grow. And I’m going to make the most of it.”

• Vrabel said he would not rule out Mariota starting future games this season and mentioned their decision to start Tannehill was “for this week.” (Turron Davenport)
• Paul Kuharsky mentions that his understanding regarding K Ryan Succop is that he can kick in three weeks in Carolina whether the Titans use all of the three weeks of practice he’s eligible for or not.