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Mike Moraitis

AFC South news roundup: Latest on C.J. Stroud, Colts pick tears ACL, Jags’ Lloyd wasn’t ready

Happy Sunday, my Tennessee Titans family! A new week brings us a new roundup, where we check in on the team’s division rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

We start in Indy, where some notable Colts are dealing with injuries that have sidelined them during the offseason program. Among those players is a 2023 draft pick who suffered a season-ending injury.

In Jacksonville, Jaguars 2022 first-round pick and edge rusher Devin Lloyd admitted he wasn’t quite ready for his first season in the NFL, both from a physical and mental standpoint.

In Houston, C.J. Stroud’s coaches and teammates have heaped praise on the rookie signal-caller, although the team has yet to officially announce him as its starter for 2023, something that is fully expected to happen.

Check out those stories and more as we take our latest trip around the AFC South to check in on the Texans, Colts and Jaguars.

Trio of Colts rookies making impression at OTAs

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Three Colts rookies have done a good job standing out during the team’s organized team activities, a list that includes fourth-rounder and offensive lineman, Blake Freeland, fifth-rounder and cornerback, Darius Rush, and undrafted rookie and wide receiver, Zavier Scott.

Read more here.

Colts' Jonathan Taylor hopes to be ready for training camp

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor remained sidelined at Colts minicamp as he continues to recover from offseason ankle surgery that aimed to fix a nagging injury he dealt with during the 2022 campaign. He hopes to be ready to roll for training camp.

Read more here.

Colts' Shaquille Leonard remains sidelined at minicamp

Jenna Watson/IndyStar Staff-USA TODAY Sports

Like Taylor, Leonard is still not practicing this offseason as he works his way back from offseason back surgery. Leonard, who missed all but three games last season, has no timetable for his return to the field.

Read more here.

5 biggest challenges for Shane Steichen in 2023

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

Colts Wire’s Cody Manning lists the five biggest challenges for new Indy head coach Shane Steichen, one of which includes “managing Anthony Richardson’s highs and lows” during his first season.

Read more here.

Colts' Jonathan Taylor discussing contract extension

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor is in the final year of his rookie deal and is talking to the Colts about an extension, something he hopes gets done before the season. However, the running back realizes the difficulties of the market for the position.

Read more here.

Colts' Daniel Scott suffered torn ACL during OTAs

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colts fifth-round pick and safety Daniel Scott suffered a torn ACL at OTAs and has been placed on injured reserve, ending his first season before it starts.

Read more here.

5 safeties the Colts can replace Daniel Scott with

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

On the heels of Scott’s injury, Colts Wire’s Kevin Hickey lists five players Indy could target to replace their rookie safety. Making the list is former Titans defensive back, Joshua Kalu.

No, Colts Wire, you can’t have him!

Read more here.

Ranking the QBs in the AFC South entering 2023

Syndication: The Tennessean

Colts Wire’s Cody Manning ranked the AFC South quarterbacks (including backups) and placed Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill at No. 2. It’s no surprise Trevor Lawrence landed in the No. 1 spot.

Read more here.

Jaguars 'keeping the pools, for sure' in stadium renovation, says design firm

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

In case you were worried the Jaguars might remove the pools during their major stadium renovation, fear not: the pools will be part of the new venue, according to the firm responsible for the renovation.

Read more here.

Jaguars hope Calvin Ridley can caution teammates on dangers of betting

Syndication: Florida Times-Union

The Jaguars are hoping that wide receiver Calvin Ridley can be a resource for players when it comes to gambling, something Ridley has been receptive to since coming to Jacksonville.

Read more here.

Josh Allen: OTA absence was time to 'focus on myself'

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

After being absent from OTAs, Allen broke his silence and explained that his absence was “to focus on myself, prioritize myself this offseason.” Allen is in the final year of his rookie deal.

Read more here.

Jaguars excited for K’Lavon Chaisson after rough 2022 season

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars coaches have seen some improvement during the offseason from Chaisson, who has been a disappointment overall since being taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Read more here.

Devin Lloyd: 'My body wasn't up to the task' in 2022

Syndication: The Tennessean

The Jags’ 2022 first-round pick admitted he wasn’t quite ready physically for his first season in the NFL, and that, along with outside criticism, impacted his mental.

Read more here.

Trevor Lawrence's 'voice carries a lot of weight' in year 3 with Jaguars

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy said Lawrence’s voice “carries a lot of weight” with his teammates going into his third season and when he speaks “everybody listens.”

Read more here.

How WR Nico Collins could be Julio Jones in Texans' new offense

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik mentioned how he has been having Collins watch Julio Jones tape because he feels the two wideouts present similar styles within his scheme.

Read more here.

J.J. Watt to be inducted into Houston Texans Ring of Honor

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

In what is zero surprise, Watt will be the newest member of the Texans’ Ring of Honor in 2023, with the ceremony set to take place in Week 4 when the Texans face off against Watt’s brother, T.J., and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Read more here.

Texans CB Steven Nelson attends mandatory minicamp

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

After being absent during OTAs, Nelson was present for and took part in mandatory minicamp last week. Nelson is in the second year of a two-year deal with Houston.

Read more here.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says C.J. Stroud working with ones was part of QB rotation

Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

While Stroud was working with the ones at mandatory minicamp last week, head coach DeMeco Ryan revealed that was just part of the quarterback rotation for practice. Houston has yet to name Stroud the starter.

Read more here.

Texans WR Noah Brown sees comparisons between C.J. Stroud and Dak Prescott

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A former Dallas Cowboy, Brown believes there are similarities between his new quarterback, Stroud, and his old one, Prescott, particularly when it comes to “arm talent.”

Read more here.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says rookie C.J. Stroud 'doesn't make the same mistake twice'

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ryans has been impressed with the way his rookie signal-caller is picking things up, noting that Stroud “doesn’t make the same mistake twice,” which is important for a young quarterback learning the ropes of the NFL.

Read more here.

Texans LB Christian Harris believes new scheme will stop the run

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Harris explains why the defensive scheme under Ryans will do a better job of stopping the run, something that has been a major issue for Houston in recent years, especially when facing The King.

Read more here.

Report: Texans sign DT Maliek Collins to 2-year extension

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston locked up one of its better defenders last week after agreeing to a two-year, $23 million extension with Collins that includes a $10.5 million signing bonus.

Read more here.

Texans taking wait and see approach with G Kenyon Green

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

After a lackluster rookie campaign, Green has spent the offseason recovering from a knee procedure that has kept him sidelined. Ryans believes the next month leading into training camp will be huge for the Texas A&M product.

Read more here.

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