INDIANAPOLIS — It's time for our weekly look at the latest headlines around the AFC South Division.
After all, the Indianapolis Colts want to keep their friends close, and their enemies even closer — or something like that.
Anyway, the latest news to come out of the Colts' camp came this week, when quarterback Andrew Luck took part in the Change The Play program with Riley Children's Hospital at IU Health. While there, he (somewhat) answered the lingering question that will likely last until the start of training camp at this time next month.
"Still in the rehab process," Luck told Colts.com. "When the time is right for me to start throwing, I'll start throwing."
Luck, of course, underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder in January, and was yet to get back on the field to any degree when the team wrapped up its offseason program a couple weeks back.
So while we keep an eye out for any developing news about Luck's continued recovery, let's see what else is poppin' around the rest of the AFC South:Houston Texans
With a full NFL season under their belt, rookies often make a leap from Year 1 to Year 2. Braxton Miller hopes to do the same. The second-year wide receiver has spent the offseason understanding the game from a different perspective.
"I was talking to Braxton the other day and the thing that really helped C.J. Fiedorowicz last year was recognition of coverages," wide receivers coach John Perry said June 7. "That's what I've been really trying to spend a lot of time with Braxton on. I think that's going to be – it's much different when you're under center recognizing coverages as opposed to being out wide and recognizing coverages. When he knows who he has to beat, he's very good, but he has to keep working on that coverage aspect of it. You'll see a lot more improvement there."
Miller ended his rookie season on injured reserve, but made a healthy return for this offseason's OTAs and minicamp. The 24-year-old quarterback-turned-receiver can add versatility to the offense, offering options in the slot or as an outside receiver, according to Perry. He has delved deeper into the playbook this offseason to better understand not only his role, but all the positions, including on the defense.
(Read the rest at HoustonTexans.com.)Jacksonville Jaguars
Because he's a back of a certain size, there's a temptation to turn Leonard Fournette into just a power back. And he is one of those.
But Jaguars veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis said that Fournette made an immediate impression during the unpadded work so far, and put his name next to a Jaguars legend (they're old enough to have legends, right?).
"Originally, when we drafted [Fournette], I thought he was going to be one of those guys that really would show up when we put pads on, but this guy is fast," Lewis said, via NFL.com. "He's big, has good footwork and great vision, and he's doing all of that without even having pads on. And you know what type of runner he is when he does have pads on.
"I think we have a great scheme in place for him to come in and just plug and play. And I think he's going to fit great with our offense. He brings back that old-school feel, like back when we had Fred Taylor, and we were able to run the ball, possess the ball, play-action pass, take shots down the field. It's going to help Blake [Bortles], so I'm looking forward to that."
(Read the rest at ProFootballTalk.com.)Tennessee Titans
Titans receiver Harry Douglas has seen plenty in his NFL career.
Douglas, heading into his 10th season, has played alongside some of the game's greats at the receiver position, from Julio Jones in Atlanta to a future Hall of Famer in Andre Johnson, his teammate last season in Tennessee.
At this point, it's impossible for him to say what the Titans have in draft picks Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor. While the two rookies have completed their first round of OTAs and a minicamp, they haven't yet put on the pads for training camp.
Douglas, however, has an early hunch.
"Those two are special, man," Douglas said. "I love their work ethic. I love how they play the game of football, and they are going to do big things for this football team.
"I can tell already they are going to be special. They listen, they go hard, and they both make plays. So it is good when you have young guys who can come in and do those things."
Douglas, who entered the league in 2008 and has played in 116 games since, said he wants to help the young receivers any way possible. He gave them his phone number back in May.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
