NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explained the decision to cut former first-round DE Taco Charlton during an interview with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Friday.

“You can’t have your No. 1 draft pick three years later for talent reasons or compatibility reasons just not make it,” Jones said, per Todd Archer. “I think we’ve always got to realize is that we depend on motivation, this game does. The game is exciting because it requires something more than just talent. You’ve got to be unique to even play in the NFL. When you’re on the defensive line it asks of more from you than any other positions in terms of being motivated. In terms of fighting through just the nature of the activity in the defensive line suggests fighting through. You’re fighting through pain. You’re fighting through serious obstacles with all those big offensive linemen. You’ve got to absolutely be eating raw meat to be a defensive linemen, in my mind … For whatever reason that area of Taco, it has as much to do with his own disappointment, his own feeling that he can do better. I’ve seen him do a rep in practice and when he didn’t get there, he just wilted. It just looked like it impacted everything that he was going to do for the rest of the practice. You can say, Well, I can correct that,’ if you’re a coach or a manager, but on the other hand, you’ve got to get it done.”

• Meanwhile, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said the decision to part ways with Charlton this week had nothing to do with him tweeting that he wanted out. They simply needed a roster spot with DE Robert Quinn returning and Rod Marinelli preferred rookie DE Joe Jackson over Charlton. (Jon Machota)
• Jones added of Charlton: “He played for a tough coach in Harbaugh. The arrow was up with Taco (entering the draft). He’s obviously a tremendous athlete. It took him a while there at Michigan to get going, but he finally did. And we just felt like we could get it out of him.” (Jon Machota)
• Regarding S Xavier Woods (ankle), who is out this week, Jones said they don’t think this will be a long-term issue. Jones added that he’d be “very surprised” if Woods is not back in time for the Saints game (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys OC Kellen Moore said they’re at the point where they won’t have snap limits for RB Ezekiel Elliott moving forward: “This is our third game. I think he’s at that point where we’re pretty much playing this thing out at this point. It was good those first two weeks just to be aware of it and then also trust Zeke’s response and how he feels and all those things and just balancing that stuff out.” (Michael Gehlken)
• Mike Fisher reports that Cowboys DL Tyrone Crawford is dealing with bursitis in both hips, but is still hoping to return in Week 4.
  The Cowboys officially ruled out WR Tavon Austin (concussion), DE Tyrone Crawford (hip), WR Michael Gallup (knee), LB Luke Gifford (ankle), DT Antwaun Woods (knee), and S Xavier Woods (ankle) for Week 3’s game. 

Eagles

• Eagles HC Doug Pederson said Friday that they’re still holding out hope for WR Alshon Jeffery and TE Dallas Goedert being available in Week 3. (Mike Garafolo)
• The Eagles officially ruled out RB Corey Clement (shoulder), WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot), and T Jordan Mailata (back) for Week 3’s game and list LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee) as doubtful.
• The Eagles also have TE Dallas Goedert (calf), WR Alshon Jeffery (calf), and QB Nate Sudfeld (left wrist) all down as questionable.

Giants

Giants RB Saquon Barkley says he’s expected about the present and the future with QB Daniel Jones as the team’s starter. 

“I guess you could say the future,” Barkley said, via the New York Post. “Just more excited for him getting out there and playing in the NFL. We also understand that there is no need to panic, but we understand we’re 0-2 and we have to do things to get things going, get things rolling, and why not start it this week and go down there against Tampa against a great team, a great defense, and great defensive coaches and try to come out there with a win.”

• Giants HC Pat Shurmur said Friday that Eli Manning will be the team’s backup on Sunday. (Art Stapleton)
• The Giants officially ruled out WR Cody Latimer (concussion) for Week 3’s game and list WR Bennie Fowler (hamstring) as questionable.