AFC South news round-up: Leonard can’t shake injury, fans pissed at Tunsil
Grab your Sunday morning coffee and take a trip around the AFC South with us to check in on the Tennessee Titans’ division rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
In Indianapolis, the Colts have multiple contract issues on their hands with key players, and Indy is trying to figure out what’s going on with All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard, who continues to be hampered by injury.
Jaguars 2020 first-round pick and edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson didn’t mince words about his feelings after the team drafted fellow edge rusher Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Meanwhile, Texans fans are pissed off about left tackle Laremy Tunsil being absent from voluntary organized team activities. Thank goodness Titans fans don’t do the same thing (sarcasm).
Check out those stories and more as we take our latest deep dive into what was going on in the AFC South during the past week.
Quenton Nelson's costly deal 'could take time'
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
The Colts and All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson are working on an extension, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the deal could take time because of how massive it will be. Fowler estimates Nelson may get around $20 million annually in his new deal.
Colts continue to evaluate Darius Leonard's ankle injury
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Colts linebacker Darius Leonard is not participating in OTAs right now because he’s hampered by an ankle injury, something he dealt with last season even after having offseason surgery in 2021. It doesn’t seem Indianapolis has an answer for what’s wrong with Leonard, either.
Kenny Moore's status for mandatory minicamp still unclear
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore hasn’t been participating at OTAs because he’s unhappy with his contract. It isn’t clear if Moore’s holdout will extend into mandatory minicamp, though.
Travis Etienne open to Deebo-like role
AP Photo/John Raoux
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne was used exclusively as a pass-catcher during a practice at OTAs, which led to his being asked if he’d be willing to be used like like San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Etienne admitted he “would love that.”
Watch: James Robinson shows progress from Achilles injury
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jags running back James Robinson is progressing well in his rehab from a torn Achilles’ tendon just seven months removed from the injury. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson recently stated Robinson could be ready for training camp.
K'Lavon Chaisson says Jags' decision to draft Travon Walker 'lit a fire' under him
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
The Jaguars drafting Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft is a source of motivation for fellow edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, who has struggled during his first two years in the league.
Texans coach Lovie Smith on Deshaun Watson trade: 'Sometimes divorce is good'
Syndication: Online Athens
Texans head coach Lovie Smith is taking the glass-half-full approach when it comes to the Deshaun Watson trade. Parting ways with Watson is looking like a better idea by the day, as civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct continue to mount against the Cleveland Browns quarterback.
Why Texans fans should relax about LT Laremy Tunsil's OTA attendance
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Fans freaking out about voluntary OTAs absences? Tell us where you’ve heard this one before.
Texans Wire’s John Hunter Crumpler opines that left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s absence from voluntary OTAs isn’t a big deal. Even his head coach doesn’t have an issue with it.
Texans RB Rex Burkhead says it is a 'joy' to watch QB Davis Mills' leadership grow
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Texans veteran running back Rex Burkhead has been impressed with the leadership second-year signal-caller Davis Mills has shown so far this offseason.
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