AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts TE Jack Doyle missed a large chunk of 2018 with hip and kidney injuries respectively. Doyle is focused on regaining the 25 pounds he lost as a result of the kidney injury, and his goal is to be back and ready to go by training camp. 

“I really am trying to take it one day at a time, not rushing anything,” Doyle said via the Herald-Bulletin’s George Bremer. “But I’m happy with where I’m at and happy with the progress I’ve made. It’s definitely going in the right direction, and when it’s time to get back out there, I’ll be excited to be back out there. I promise you that.”

With Doyle’s return, the Colts would like to use more three tight end sets in 2019, featuring Eric Ebron and Mo Alie-Cox alongside Doyle.

“We’ve got a great room,” Doyle said. “We really do, and it’s exciting with how this offense works and uses the tight ends. We’ve got a great room and (we’re) excited for the season. That’s for sure.”

Texans

• Per Ben Volin, former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi said Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio wanted to leave New England to take the Texans GM job: “At the end of the day, Nick obviously knew he had that clause in his contract, he knew he had another year, but he wanted to leave. And I think that will still end up being the case. The Texans aren’t hiring anybody. They want Nick.”

Titans

• Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official site writes that Titans QB Marcus Mariota has the “best supporting cast” of his career after the additions of WRs Adam Humphries and A.J. Brown.
• Regarding the possibility of Mariota receiving a long-term extension, Wyatt believes Titans GM Jon Robinson wants to see improvement from Mariota and for him to stay healthy throughout the season. 
• According to Wyatt, Titans DL Austin Johnson is “in the mix” for a roster spot and the team will be counting on him to play well in 2019. 
• Wyatt mentions that the Titans don’t have any doubt that first-round DL Jeffery Simmons (ACL) will return to full form, but admits that it will “take some time” before he is ready. 
• As for Titans’ second-round WR A.J. Brown, Wyatt fully expects him to have some growing pains this season as he adjusts to the NFL.