NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Cardinals, Redskins, Vikings

Buccaneers

• Buccaneers RB Doug Martin and DE Robert Ayers both cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol on Thursday.

Cardinals

• According to Howard Balzer, the Cardinals brought in S Cedric Thompson for a tryout on Thursday.

Redskins

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins explained that while it’s easy to stop and wonder about his future in Washington, it’s been important for him to remain focus on what’s in front him and allow things to play once the season is over.

“It’s human nature to want to look ahead and know the plan and know what’s coming next,” Cousins said, via the Associated Press. “But it’s been great for me to exercise that muscle of every time those thoughts do show up to say: ‘Let’s focus on the present.’

“Let’s be right here, right now, and understand that that’s the best way to prepare for the future. And I’ve certainly had to remind myself of that many, many times as my mind does drift, but as you practice that discipline, you get better at it.”

We have him featured in our Top 25 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Vikings

• According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Vikings OC Pat Shurmur will be a name mentioned as a head coaching candidate in the coming weeks.
• However, Pelissero adds the Vikings could have another coordinator linked to vacant jobs, as DC George Edwards is in the final year of his contract and should draw some interest from prospective teams.