NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after Thursday’s loss to the Bills that he has no plans to fire HC Jason Garrett at this time. 

Regarding his job status, Garrett made it clear he’s just focused on getting back to work and preparing for the stretch run. 

“You just have to get back to work,” Garrett said., via ESPN.com “That’s the nature of the National Football League. It’s hard every week. You are going to deal with adversities over the course of the year. You’re going to have to deal with the successes over the course of the year. You have to learn from them and move on and get ready for the next challenge.”

Jones says he isn’t panicking and plans to look for ways to help the team. 

“I’m going to do the same thing I’ve always done when I get a setback or get my butt kicked. I’m going to get up in the morning and I’m going to look for ways [to help], and I’m not going to panic,” Jones said. “I’m going to look for ways to improve the situation. I’m still glad that when I get up in the morning, I can look for ways to help our team. One of them is not a coaching change. One of them is not reworking the offense or the defense. Those aren’t alternatives for us to be ready to play over the next month and give us a chance to be what we want to be.”

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Cowboys will not be making any changes to their assistant coaches.
• The MRI on Cowboys WR Amari Cooper‘s knee showed he did not suffer any structural damage to his left knee. (Todd Archer)
• Regarding the team’s kicker situation, Garrett said: “We’ll evaluate the kicking situation. We need to make those kicks. Brett has done a really good job for us over the course of his time here. But we’ll evaluate that situation just like we’ll evaluate everything else.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said OL Connor Williams (knee) is the biggest question mark coming out of yesterday’s game, as he’s undergoing an MRI on Friday. (Jon Machota)
• Jones said LB Leighton Vander Esch is not expected to play against the Bears in Week 14. 
• Cowboys DE Michael Bennett has a foot injury, but the Cowboys are optimistic about his status for next week. (Calvin Watkins)

Eagles

• Eagles HC Doug Pederson said TE Zach Ertz is “doing fine” and will run on grass today. They still plan to remain cautious with Ertz. (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Pederson mentioned that RT Lane Johnson has cleared the concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s game. (Jeff McLane)
• Eagles RB Jordan Howard still hasn’t been cleared for contact. (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Eagles CB Cre’Von LeBlanc could be added to the active roster if there’s no need for an injury replacement. (Zach Berman)

Giants

Giants DL Leonard Williams tells Jordan Raanan of ESPN that he has not been approached by the team about a potential extension as of now, but he isn’t concerned about the situation.

Williams admitted that having some familiarity with the team is important and he isn’t looking to secure every last cent in free agency. 

“I think for me, I’m not the type of person that likes to bounce around a lot,” Williams said. “I like to be stationary and comfortable on the team, and also like to win. I’d like to be able to stay on this team and hopefully be a part of the rebuilding process to get this team back to a winning program again.

“I don’t think the money matters as much for me. Obviously, I want to get paid, as every player wants to. This is a business now. You clearly want to get paid for your play, but at the same time, I don’t think that is the most important thing for me.”

Multiple sources tell Raanan that they believe Williams will command at least $10 million a year on the open market. Raanan tosses out Sheldon Richardson‘s three-year, $37 million deal with the Browns as a potential comp for Williams’ next contract.