NFL Notes: Colts, Dolphins, Panthers, Saints, Texans, & Vikings

Colts

Regarding WR T.Y. Hilton‘s recent comments questioning the team’s play calling, Colts HC Chuck Pagano told reporters that they shouldn’t be expressing these concerns to the public.

“I don’t think any of us should air our laundry outside the building,” Pagano said, via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.

Dolphins

According to Albert Breer of NFL Media, the Dolphins have already started vetting head coaching candidates.

Breer mentions that Miami has been look at previous decisions made during the 2006 and 2009 coaching cycles, given that VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum hired Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan in New York during those years.

The Dolphins are reportedly trying to prevent the group-thinking that can take hold during head coaching searches. Also, there will likely be several candidates worth considering for the head-coaching vacancy, which means they’ll need to have a good idea what they’re looking for in case there’s competition from other teams.

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera announced Thursday that RB Jonathan Stewart will be out for Week 16’s game against the Falcons.

Saints

• Saints QB Drew Brees said he’s making progress in regards to his foot injury and adds that he has every intention of playing Sunday.

Texans

• Texans QB T.J. Yates said he’s undergoing surgery on to repair his torn ACL on Monday. (Aaron Wilson)
• Yates added that he plans to keep playing and hopes to be back in time for training camp next year. (Aaron Wilson)

Vikings

A Vikings source explained to Albert Breer of NFL Media that the best thing QB Teddy Bridgewater has done this season through the ups and downs is to trust the process.

“The biggest thing he’s done is trust the process,” Breer’s Vikings source said. “He stuck with the plan — and we’ve had a plan for him since he got here. He stuck with it, and the progress is showing up.“