NFL Notes: Colts, Patriots, Titans

Colts

• Mike Wells of ESPN writes that an “ugly loss” to the Browns in Week 3 would cause “a lot of extra tension” with the Colts’ organization and in regards to job security for HC Chuck Pagano.
• Wells adds that it will be key for Pagano to prove that the Colts can remain competitive without QB Andrew Luck, considering that they’ve never started off a season with an 0-3 record during Pagano’s time.

Patriots

• Mike Reiss of ESPN believes that Patriots LB David Harris‘ lack of playing time is a combination of being third on the depth chart behind Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, along with the fact that they’ve predominantly ran dime and nickel defenses through their first two games.
• Regarding Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower‘s knee injury, Reiss mentions that the team has been “very cautious” with him in practice this week.
• According to Reiss, Patriots return specialist/WR Matthew Slater is “heading in the right direction” from his injury, but has yet to fully participate in practice.

Titans

• Cameron Wolfe of ESPN believes the absence first-round WR Corey Davis‘ (hamstring) from Week 3 housld provide WR Taywan Taylor with an opportunity to prove he is more than just a “gadget player” with speed.
• Titans HC Mike Mularkey said that the more Taylor does in games, the more they’ll find ways to get him the ball: “The more he does things good in games, you’re going to find ways to get him the ball more.“
• Wolfe expects WRs Rishard Matthews and Eric Decker to receive more targets, while the team will use more two- or three-tight end sets with TEs Jonnu Smith and Phillip Supernaw.