AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos CB Kareem Jackson told reporters that Week 14 game’s against the Texans will be an emotional experience for him after spending nine years in Houston. 

“In terms of me doing what I’m supposed to, it’s just another game, but emotionally, my first time being in a different uniform coming back there, it’s definitely not, in that aspect, just another game,” said Jackson, via Mark Berman. 

Jackson had hoped to finish his career in Houston, but the team elected to let him leave in free agency as they retooled their secondary. Jackson landed with the Broncos, who were happy to have him. 

“It’s the business side of it, it happens,” Jackson said via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “Free agency rolls around and sometimes guys get a chance to stay with the team they’re with and sometimes you have to pack up and move on. In my case, I had to pack up and move on. At the end of the day, I’m happy with the decision I made. Denver stepped right up and they let it be known they wanted me here. For me, it’s always good to be wanted. That was a no-brainer for me.”

• ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks Broncos QB Joe Flacco will retire, as he’s not likely to get more interest than a one-year backup deal this offseason after Denver likely cuts him. 
• Per the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, Broncos LB Von Miller said he missed last week’s game due to an MCL sprain: “It was hard. It was extremely hard. I cried real tears. A 30-year-old man. It was extremely hard for me.… I couldn’t even say I’m not playing. I had to let them make that call.”
• Miller added his status for this week against the Texans is up in the air as well: “If I can’t get my exotic movements back, then in my opinion I shouldn’t be out there… I’m doing whatever I can to get out there. I usually heal like Wolverine.” (Kyle Newman)

Chargers

• ESPN’s Bill Barnwell writes that Bengals QB Andy Dalton makes sense as a short-term replacement if the Chargers move on from QB Philip Rivers. 
• Barnwell adds if Rivers pulls out of his funk, a one-year deal makes sense for the Chargers and Rivers in 2020. 

Raiders

Regarding the teams’ two-game losing streak, Raiders QB Derek Carr said they’ve had a “rough two weeks” but believes they can get back to winning games. 

“We’ve had a rough two weeks, I’ve had a rough two weeks…that’s the really beautiful thing about this game – rewind two weeks ago, we were the greatest story in the NFL. Two weeks later, we suck again. I think we’ll be all right,” said Carr, via Paul Gutierrez. 

Raiders HC Jon Gruden thinks the team’s excessive amount of travel this season has “taken a toll” on them. 

“We’ve been on the road more than anyone in the history of the world. 45,000 miles of travel is a joke, and it’s taken a toll on our team. I believe that,” via Jerry McDonald. 

• ESPN’s Bill Barnwell writes that Carr’s future with the team is more uncertain than it appears, as there’s no guaranteed money remaining on his deal going forward. 
• The Raiders promoted QB DeShone Kizer to the No. 2 quarterback slot ahead of QB Mike Glennon. (Vic Tafur)
• Kizer later confirmed that he’s now the backup quarterback. “I was told the other day I’d be given an opportunity jump in and help the team.” (Jerry McDonald)