NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple sources have broached the possibility of the Cowboys using the franchise tag on QB Dak Prescott at the end of the season. Fowler adds Dallas even threatened to use the tag at one point in negotiations. 
• The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia lists Prescott, Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, CB Byron Jones, DE Robert Quinn and DT Maliek Collins on his top-50 potentially available free agents in 2020.
• Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys third-round rookie OL Connor McGovern has not resumed practice and is unlikely to be activated from injured reserve this season. 

Eagles

Eagles DC Jim Schwartz referred to DE/LB Genard Avery as a “hybrid player” who they need to have a “specific plan” for. 

“He’s a bit of a hybrid player, and when we got him, we needed to have a specific plan for the way we were going to use him. First week we used him just a little bit, used him a little bit more as a defensive end in this last game, but we’ve used him as a hybrid linebacker in there, also. He’s done a nice job working really hard to make the most of his opportunities when he’s been out there,” said Schwartz, via Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media. 

Schwartz believes they had a hard time playing Avery in Week 11’s game against the Patriots because of their up-tempo offense. 

“It’s a little tough to sub with this last game because of whether if was tempo or; that’s a team that’s really savvy to catch you with too many guys on the field, so it’s hard to sub just willy-nilly, so you really have to surgical with your substitutions. So sometimes it’s hard to get specialty players out there. But he’s been a nice addition for us.” 

• The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia lists Eagles CB Ronald Darby on his top-50 potentially available free agents in 2020.
• Eagles HC Doug Pederson clarified the team brought back RB Jay Ajayi to replace RB Darren Sproles, who’s out for the season, and not RB Jordan Howard, who’s the team’s leading rusher. (Mike Kaye)
• Eagles OT Lane Johnson remains in the concussion protocol and is slated to be replaced by first-round rookie OT Andre Dillard. (Mike Garafolo)

Giants

Giants HC Pat Shurmur said WR Sterling Shepard and CB Janoris Jenkins are still going through the league’s concussion protocol but are “encouraged” that they will be cleared. 

“They’re still going through it, so we’ll see what the week brings,” Shurmur said, via Peter Botte of the New York Post. “But we’re encouraged that they’ll make it through.”

Giants TE Evan Engram (foot) said he is no longer using a walking boot and could play in Week 12. 

“Today, is the full retirement of the boot,” said Engram. “I felt good. We’ll see where I’m at middle to end of this week…I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I’ll be ready to go.”

• Per the Athletic’s Dan Duggan, Engram and Rhett Ellison (concussion) were not practicing Wednesday. 
• NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo notes how Giants DT B.J. Hill has seen his playing time cut in half after the arrival of DL Leonard Williams via trade earlier this season. 
• The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia lists Williams and Giants LB Markus Golden on his top-50 potentially available free agents in 2020.
• Shepard and Jenkins both practiced in full Wednesday and are expected to be cleared from the concussion protocol later this week, assuming symptoms don’t return again like they did for Shepard earlier this season. (Pat Leonard)

Redskins

• According to ESPN’s John Keim, Redskins DT Da’Ron Payne remained out of practice with an ankle injury. 
• Redskins DT Tim Settle meanwhile returned to practice after missing Sunday with a hamstring injury. 
• The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia lists Redskins G Brandon Scherff on his top-50 potentially available free agents in 2020.