NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys OC Kellen Moore thinks Ezekiel Elliott will be fully available for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

“Seems like Zeke is in really good shape,” Moore said, per Jon Machota. “We’ll just play that thing out as it goes. We’ll see how much he can go. If we have to (give him a rest), we certainly feel comfortable with Tony as well.”

Elliott feels he became “mentally tough” through the issues surrounding his holdout. 

“I learned I am mentally tough,” said Elliott. “It’s definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through.”

Elliott added that the hardest part about his holdout was being away from his teammates during the offseason program. 

“It’s super tough, it was really hard. Super hard,” Elliott said. “Honestly, what helped me get through was the support of the guys in this building, just communicating with them every day. Them just supporting me and that meant a lot. We’re a close-knit group. It all goes way farther than football. We actually love each other. We’re a family. We understand each other and we just have a great respect for each other.” 

• The Cowboys officially ruled out LB Luke Gifford (ankle), S Darian Thompson (ankle), and S Donovan Wilson (ankle) for Week 1.

Eagles

On Friday, Eagles HC Doug Pederson denied the recent report that they offered to trade RB Jordan Howard and an exchange of draft picks to the Chargers for holdout RB Melvin Gordon.

“We feel great about Jordan, which is why we brought him here,” Pederson said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We actually went to Jordan when the report came out, went right to him and said ‘Listen, you’re here. The report’s false. It’s not coming from us.’

“Just wanted to reassure him that this is the reason why you’re here, to help us win games.”

• Regarding WR Alshon Jeffery’s biceps injury, Pederson said he had a run-in collision and bumped his arm: “He’ll be fine.” (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Pederson told reporters that LB Nigel Bradham will not be suspended after going AWOL last week and he will suit up for Sunday’s game. (Zach Berman)
• Tom Pelissero reports that the Eagles are paying OL Iosua Opeta ($20,000) much higher more than the practice squad minimum of $8,000 per week. 
• The Eagles officially ruled out LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee), T Jordan Mailata (back), and QB Nate Sudfeld (left wrist) (ankle) for Week 1.

Giants

• On Friday, the Giants released LB Nate Stupar. Art Stapleton mentions that it doesn’t sound like New York is planning to promote someone from their practice squad and may instead wait until next week to sign a veteran player. 
• The Giants officially ruled out TE Garrett Dickerson (quadricep) and WR Darius Slayton (hamstring) for Week 1.

Redskins

Redskins HC Jay Gruden is in the final year of his contract and clearing coaching for his job this season.

“Had it my first year, probably,” Gruden said, via ESPN.com. “That’s just the way it is. That’s what happens when you sign on the dotted line. All you care about is that season and then after the season you have a chance to talk about contracts and where you’re at with job security. But you can’t worry about that.”

“I’m very excited about 2019,” Gruden added. “Anytime I’ve been a coach or a player, all I care about is the year I’m in. Everything else will take care of itself. We’re focused on Philadelphia. What happens after the season I’ll worry about then, but right now I feel confident we can line up with the defense we have and compete and win every game we play.”

• Redskins HC Jay Gruden said that TE Jordan Reed is questionable for Sunday and hasn’t been cleared for full contact yet. Gruden added that they will have a “good feeling” about his availability Saturday morning. (JP Finlay)
• Redskins OC Kevin O’Connell said they’re spending extra time with rookie QB Dwayne Haskins to make sure he’s ready in case needed. Haskins has been involved in extra meetings, working with offensive assistant Matt Cavanaugh on the side and O’Connell said he’s confident in what Haskins could do if needed. (John Keim)
• The Redskins officially ruled out QB Colt McCoy (fibula) and CB Fabian Moreau (ankle) for Week 1 and list DE Caleb Brantley (foot), LB Cassanova McKinzy (concussion), and TE Jordan Reed (concussion) as questionable.