The AFC’s training camps are producing a little bit of everything right now: a quarterback looking fully back, a top rookie being rethought, a young receiver flashing confidence, and a veteran defender ready to line up anywhere.
In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones is drawing strong early reviews from teammates who say he looks as sharp as ever. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox said the quarterback hasn’t shown any signs of rust.
“He looks like he never got hurt,” Alie-Cox said, via Colts.com. “He’s throwing dimes left and right on the field, getting out the pocket, scrambling and different things like that.”
Guard Quenton Nelson echoed that sentiment, calling Jones’ return to the field impressive.
“He’s been incredible. He’s back like he’s never left,” Nelson added.
“He worked so hard to get here. It’s been awesome to see.”
In Jacksonville, the conversation around Travis Hunter has shifted. The Jaguars still want him to play both ways, but they’re now acknowledging that last year’s approach may not have been the best fit. The plan for 2026 is for Hunter to be a major piece at cornerback while also handling a more limited role on offense.
“I think we have a better feel now at what he’s best at and where we need him,” Jaguars HC Liam Coen said via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Where you want him in there is contested [plays], tough catches - trying to get the ball in his hand because he can make you miss in a phone booth. Quick screens, bubbles…
“What that looks like as a rep count, I still have no clue. … He’s got to be able to know X, F, both those positions within the game plan and not the whole playbook.
Third down, red zone, two-minute, specific offense of plays in the normal flow of the game, we will package him in, as opposed to, ‘Look, bro, you’ve got to know the whole offense.’ That was a little much last year.”
The Jaguars are also encouraged by what they’ve seen from Brian Thomas Jr. in camp after a difficult second season. Coen said the receiver has looked different in all the right ways and should be a key vertical threat for Jacksonville.
“I’ve just sensed a different dude in terms of confidence, the way he carries himself, his communication. I am confident in him right now, and I know Trevor [Lawrence] is, too.”
In Houston, Tank Dell is back around the team after the brutal knee injury he suffered in December 2024. DeMeco Ryans said the Texans are taking the cautious route and want to make sure Dell feels good about where he is physically before he’s pushed into full-team work.
“Tank is on the right plan. Every day is based on how he’s feeling. We’ll do the right thing by Tank so he’s feeling confidence when he’s able to step back into full team.”
The Texans also got a setback in practice, with Aaron Wilson reporting that running back British Brooks broke his hand and is looking at a three-week recovery.
In Tennessee, John Franklin-Myers is settling into his first year with the Titans and ninth overall in the league. He said one of the reasons he chose Tennessee was the chance to be moved all over the defensive front in Robert Saleh’s system.
“I consider myself a football player. Truthfully, I’ve done it all, I do it all, and my standard is through the roof.
So, you can put me inside or outside, nose guard, d-end, d-tackle, I don’t care,” Franklin-Myers said, via TitansWire. “I want to win one-on-ones, and play the most physical brand of football.”
In Other News...
Texans Camp Is Already Turning Up Pressure On Several Roster Battles
Houston has been into training camp long enough for the early depth-chart jockeying to start feeling real, and a few names are already moving in the right direction. Jayden Higgins has stood out as a promising receiver, while Collin Wright and Jawhar Jordan have both helped their chances of sticking around when the roster gets trimmed. Even the kicking game has an unsettled feel to it, with the punting battle still open and the Texans looking at additional options as camp develops.
The uncertainty is starting to show up elsewhere, too, where availability is becoming as important as performance in some of these position fights. Jake Hansens place in the linebacker mix is clouded by an ankle issue, and Brevin Jordans camp rhythm has also been interrupted at a time when every rep matters. For a roster trying to sort out the last few spots, those absences can create just as much movement as the practices that go well. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Could Be Getting A Key Piece Back At Perfect Time
A small but notable camp development gave the Texans another name to track in their receiver room, as Jaylin Noel has been cleared to practice after a minor finger injury. The rookie was briefly sidelined on the Non-Football Injury list, but his return to drills comes at a time when Houston is sorting out roles and trying to figure out who can carve out real snaps in the offense.
Noels timing matters because the slot opening looks far more available now than it did a little while ago. With Christian Kirk gone, the Texans have a clearer path for someone to step into that interior receiver role, and Noel is suddenly positioned to make his case while camp is still young and the depth chart is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]