AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, Titans

Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich admitted that the Kevin Durant‘s injury in the 2019 NBA Finals has influenced their “cautious” approach with QB Andrew Luck. 

“I was certainly thinking [about] it,” Reich said, via Mike Wells of ESPN. “I didn’t have that conversation with [general manager] Chris [Ballard] or any of our trainers. But that’s this business. When you see something like that happen, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s why you do what we’re doing.’ It was kind of like unspoken truth. That’s why we’re being cautious.”

Colts GM Chris Ballard added that the team’s “mindset” right now is to have Luck ready for Week 1 of the regular season. 

“He didn’t do anything this spring but making sure we got — we don’t want him to get out there and have a setback,” Ballard said. “We’re so process orientated in taking the right — if we’ve learned anything, when I walked in the door through the first injury he had, let’s just make sure we’re taking the right steps. We’re getting ready to play the [Los Angeles] Chargers [in Week 1], that’s where our mindset is right now.”

• Luck tells Tom Pelissero that he has had scans and “[his] Achilles is not at extra risk of anything. It’s fine.” Luck is being patient after calf strain/lower leg injury in spring and is feeling better every day.

Texans

Regarding Texans WR Will Fuller‘s ACL injury, HC Bill O’Brien is hopeful that the receiver can stay healthy throughout the season. 

“Will is an excellent player. If Will can have healthy 16 game season, he can help us win a lot of games,” said O’Brien, via Aaron Wilson. 

• O’Brien said Texans S Justin Reid (wrist) and TE Kahale Warring (undisclosed) will be “back soon” to training camp. (Aaron Wilson)
• According to O’Brien, the addition of punter Bryan Anger was to create competition with Trevor Daniel. (Aaron Wilson)

Titans

• Marcus Mariota told reporters that he’s approaching this year with the mindset to be more aggressive, but not reckless. (Turron Davenport)
• Titans TE Delanie Walker says he does not think about his ankle when practicing and is “fully confident” making cuts and jumping for the ball. (Turron Davenport)
• Jack Conklin mentioned that he did not need further surgery and has only rehabbed from his second knee injury. He added that he feels stronger now than he did before the surgery. (Terry McCormick)
• Titans WR A.J. Brown and RB Derrick Henry both left the first day of practice early and did not return. Mike Vrabel said there isn’t a lot of concern about Brown and Derrick, who are considered day to day right now. (Turron Davenport)