With another week of our lives in the books, it’s time for another AFC South news roundup where we check in on the Tennessee Titans’ division rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.
While things were mostly quiet for the Texans and Jaguars, the Colts have been dominating the headlines recently, as the team has no shortage of problems to talk about.
Whether it’s a deteriorated relationship with their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, injuries or a suspension, the Colts are in an absolute state of disarray right now.
And to think, there’s actually someone out there who has the Titans ranked as the worst team in the AFC South.
Not everything has been smooth sailing in Houston, though, as the Texans lost their starting center for the season due to a knee injury. However, things appear to be clearing up in the competition for the starting quarterback job.
Check out those stories and many more in our latest AFC South news roundup.
Jonathan Taylor refutes report of pre-existing back pain
After reports came out stating Taylor had injured his back while working out this offseason and was possibly set to go on the non-football injury list, the running back tweeted the story is not true. Taylor remains on the PUP list.
10 things we learned from Week 1 of Colts training camp
Interested in a synopsis of the Colts’ first week of training camp. Colts Wire’s Kevin Hickey has you covered.
One takeaway from each position after first week of Colts training camp
Hickey focuses in on Indy’s position groups and gives one takeaway for each after the team’s first week of training camp.
Colts' Zack Moss suffers broken arm, expected to miss six weeks
The hits just keep coming for the Colts at running back after Moss suffered a broken arm during practice. Moss, who was in line to lead the backfield if Taylor was moved, will be out six weeks.
The team has since signed veteran back, Kenyan Drake.
Colts seeking early-round pick in potential Jonathan Taylor trade?
Stephen Holder of ESPN reports the Colts are looking for an early-round pick in a trade for Taylor. Good luck with that considering the market for running backs is in the toilet right now.
Why Colts QB Anthony Richardson had nasal procedure done
Richardson was absent from practice last week and it was revealed he had a procedure done to fix his nasal septum, with the goal of helping him breathe better. He only missed one practice, though.
Report: Colts' Jonathan Taylor generating trade interest
As you’d expect, there is interest out there for Taylor’s services, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Colts owner Jim Irsay has said he won’t trade his star back.
Report: Jonathan Taylor 'remains steadfast' in desire to play elsewhere
This is why you can take Irsay’s comment on not trading Taylor with a grain of salt. Things seem irreparable at this point and I can’t imagine he plays another down with the Colts.
Colts' DeForest Buckner dealing with foot injury
Buckner suffered the injury at practice on Thursday, but it remains unclear how severe it is. It goes without saying Indy can ill-afford to lose one of its best players for any period of time.
Colts' Chris Lammons suspended 3 games
Further illustrating the absolute mess the Colts are right now, Lammons was suspended for three games for his involvement in a fight outside of a Las Vegas nightclub in 2022, which New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was also involved in and suspended for.
Lammons is the second Colts cornerback to get suspended this year after Isaiah Rodgers was suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers has since been released.
Colts place draft pick Jake Witt on season-ending IR
The Colts have lost yet another 2023 draft pick for the season, with seventh-round pick Jake Witt being placed on IR due to a hip injury. He joins fellow 2023 selection, safety Daniel Scott, who tore his ACL during OTAs.
Colts rookie CB Julius Brents makes training camp debut
Some good news! The Colts saw the practice debut of 2023 draft pick Julius Brents, who had not stepped on the field at any point during the offseason before Saturday. Brents was absent in the spring because of wrist surgery, then missed the start of camp due to a hamstring injury.
Texans activate 2 from PUP list, waive receiver
The Texans activated two players off the PUP list last week, including defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins. Houston also waived Amari Rodgers, with the move being called a mutual decision.
Texans DE Jerry Hughes says Will Anderson 'has that Von Miller ability'
Anderson has been receiving rave reviews in training camp thus far, but perhaps none better than from teammate Jerry Hughes, who compared the rookie to future Hall of Famer, Von Miller.
Texans training camp takeaways: Youth movement surging
Texans Wire’s Brian Barefield goes over the biggest points from the team’s first week of training camp.
Texans C Scott Quessenberry sustains season-ending knee injury
The Texans lost their starting center after Quessenberry suffered a torn ACL and MCL in practice recently. Second-round pick, Juice Scruggs, is expected to take over the starting role in his stead and has looked good in camp.
Breaking down the Texans' new deal with CB Steven Nelson
After spending the offseason looking for a new deal from the Texans, Nelson finally got some semblance of that, via a rework that gives him an opportunity to make up to $2 million more.
Texans CB Shaquill Griffin sees WR Robert Woods' influence on young wideouts
Former Titan Robert Woods is having an impact on the Texans’ young wide receivers, according to Griffin. Not surprising since Woods is a great veteran presence to have in the locker room. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t good on the field for Tennessee in 2022.
Texans WR John Metchie's advice on fighting cancer: 'Just show up and fight'
Metchie is in the midst of an inspirational return after a battle with acute promyelocytic leukemia that forced him to miss his rookie season.
Breaking down the Texans' contract with OT George Fant
If you were a fan of the Titans bringing in the best tackle option left on the market like I and so many others were, you won’t be happy to see this. Fant’s contract is worth up to $4 million but has a base salary of $2 million and only $300,000 guaranteed. Yes, the Titans had plenty of room to fit that in.
C.J. Stroud's job to lose?
Multiple Texans beat writers came out on Saturday night after practice and stated that it is now Stroud’s job to lose. It has been pretty much a foregone conclusion he’d win the starting job, but the Texans have yet to announce it.
I think we’re reaching the unofficial end of the QB competition
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) August 6, 2023
Notes from #Texans practice:
1) looking more and more like it’s Stroud’s job to lose
2) offense finally started getting their cleats in the ground—receivers coming open and QBs finding them in rhythm
3) Tank Dell was hot.
4) Pass protection was not, but I’m waiting for live…— Seth Payne (@SethCPayne) August 6, 2023
Travis Etienne on RB pay: 'The market is what the market is'
Etienne is the latest NFL running back to weigh-in on the current market at the position. The third-year back notes all he can do is go out there and produce and see what happens.
Christian Kirk thinks the Jaguars could lead the NFL in scoring
Kirk, who is coming off an impressive season, is rightly high on the Jaguars’ offense, a unit that has the potential to be one of the betters ones in the NFL.
Press Taylor on Anton Harrison: 'He gets better every single day'
Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator is seeing a steady improvement from Harrison, the Jags’ 2023 first-round pick who is expected to be the starter at right tackle.
Rise of the Jaguars: Go Long article reveals untold Urban Meyer stories
An article by Tyler Dunne of Go Long reveals more untold stories of the short-lived and disastrous tenure of Urban Meyer with the Jaguars. Big Cat Country gives a breakdown of the article, which is behind a paywall.
