AFC Notes: Steelers, Broncos, Ravens, Jets

Following the Steelers‘ victory over the Chiefs this past weekend, the team compiled more than $94K in fines, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Mike Mitchell led the way, as the safety was fined more than $48K for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City running back Charcandrick West. Mitchell picked up another $9K fine for a late hit on quarterback Alex Smith, but the defensive back made it clear that he wasn’t trying to hurt anybody.

“I’m not a dirty player, I’m not out here trying to take his legs out,” Mitchell said (via Omari Sankofa II of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “It’s just one of those things you don’t want to see in a football game. So unfortunate that it happened because it ended up flipping momentum on the field in a significant way. We were in dominant control of that football game, and really before that.”

Meanwhile, linebacker Bud Dupree ($24K) and running back Le’Veon Bell ($12K) were also handed fines by the NFL.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the AFC…

  • The Broncos are currently dealing with injuries on the offensive line, and according to Troy Renck of Denver7 (via Twitter), the team is expected to add reinforcement to the unit. Right tackle Menelik Watson is set to miss this weekend’s game, and he’ll be joining fellow lineman Donald Stephenson on the sideline. These injuries will force Allen Barbre into the starting lineup, leaving Connor McGovern as the team’s lone healthy reserve lineman.
  • Similarly, John Harbaugh said the Ravens will also look to add a lineman, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Baltimore currently has three lineman on the IR, including Marshal Yanda, Alex Lewis, and rookie Nico Siragusa. This would leave Luke Bowanko and Matt Skura as the team’s only backup linemen.
  • Cornerback Morris Claiborne, defensive end Kony Ealy, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley have been revelations for the Jets this season, and Darryl Slater of NJ.com believes the team will look to bring back the impending free agents for 2018. However, the writer doesn’t expect any extensions to be finalized before the end of the season.
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