Training Camp Preview: AFC South

Tue Jul 22 10:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Lawrence has a lot of pressure

This is the sixth in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. The season is right around the corner.

Texans

The Texans won their division last year, but it didn’t seem like they had the season most expected. The offense kind of sputtered at times, so that should be the big thing to watch this camp. CJ Stroud didn’t take quite the step forward in year two. There will be a lot of pressure on Stroud and the offense to up their game this year. If that happens, this could make a run in the playoffs. There certainly is enough talent on both sides of the ball for that to happen. We will get to see all these players in action, starting July 22 at the Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Texas.

Position battle: The Texans really added some new talent at receiver this offseason, getting Christian Kirk, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. These guys will be competing for playing time behind Nico Collins, though. It will be an interesting battle, especially when it comes to Kirk. Can the veteran receiver beat out the young guys for targets? This will be a position battle to watch because the Texans offense could be a lot more explosive this year.

Injury watch: Tank Dell is trying to return from a devastating knee injury suffered late last season. He has a very long road back and most think he will be unable to play at all this season. He has endured multiple surgeries after suffering the injury. He likely will do nothing in camp, but hopefully we get some sort of update on his status. He can be a difference maker when playing. Here is to hoping this injury doesn’t hold him back going forward.

Colts

The Colts were a mess last year but still almost made the playoffs, finishing 8-9. It helped that they played in a weak division, though. The big concern remains the quarterback spot. It remains to be seen if Anthony Richardson is the long-term answer for the team. Richardson should be the focal point of this camp, trying to see if he is the franchise quarterback that can lead this team to the playoffs and beyond. Richardson and his teammates open camp July 21 at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.

Position battle: The Colts brought in Daniel Jones to push Anthony Richardson for the starting job in Indy. Jones seems to have a real leg up to start at this point because Richardson has missed a lot of time because of a shoulder injury. Richardson is going to have a hard time starting if he isn’t on the practice field. The more first-team reps that Jones gets, the better his chances are to at least open the season as the starter for the Colts.

Injury watch: Anthony Richardson has been slowed by a shoulder injury all offseason. This is impacting his chances to start, missing so much practice time. He had shoulder surgery on the same shoulder his rookie season, so this latest injury is a concern. Is this going to be a recurring issue? Richardson is likely to be slowed early in camp because of the injury. He needs to get back on the field sooner then later, though, if he hopes to start for the Colts this year.

Jaguars

This could be a make-or-break season for Trevor Lawrence. He has been pretty ho-hum to start this career. Lawrence looks the part at times, but not as consistently as the Jaguars would like. He will have some pressure on him to up his game this year, especially with the team surrounding him with better talent at receiver. The Jaguars start camp July 19 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.

Position battle: The Jaguars have three backs looking to start this year. Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby split much of the work last year, but neither was great with their chances. Jacksonville drafted Bhaysul Tuten to compete with both backs for the right to start. This really is a three-headed race for the No. 1 back job. Etienne seems to be ahead in the race right now, but that could change in a hurry if he slips up in camp and preseason action.

Injury watch: Trevor Lawrence had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and has been wearing a sleeve on his throwing arm during some off-season work. He should be just fine for the start of camp, but you will at least want to keep an eye on his arm ailments to make sure they aren’t an issue going forward. Lawrence has a chance to take a big step forward this year, but needs to be healthy for that to happen.

Titans

The Titans were the worst team in football last year, so all they can do is go up at this point. Tennessee used their first pick to get Cam Ward, hoping to have finally solved that quarterback issue that has plagued them in recent seasons. Ward will get the keys to the ship right away, so it will be intriguing to see how much of an impact he has in year one. Much of this camp will focus on the development of their young quarterback. Tennessee opens camp July 22 at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn.

Position battle: The Titans signed both Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett this offseason. Lockett figures to be the slot receiver for the Titans, but Jefferson has a chance to be the No. 2 alongside Calvin Ridley. He won’t be handed the job, though. Treylon Burks is still around and rookie Xavier Restrepo is a player to watch. Restrepo has turned heads in offseason workouts and could really push Jefferson for that starting job. He is a player to watch.

Injury watch: Treylon Burks is returning from a torn ACL, suffered in Week 6 last season. The good news is he should be ready to go for the start of camp. It is a major injury, though, so nothing is certain as workouts start. He could be brought along slowly. Burks has been a bust to date, so this could be a make-or-break camp for him if he hopes to earn a big role with the Titans this season.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Training Camp Preview: AFC South

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