NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Although Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said they aren’t working on any more trades, he mentioned that they won’t “rule anything out” ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. 

“We don’t really have anything on the front-burner right now. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t have something, I mean this Michael Bennett deal came together quickly…I wouldn’t rule anything out.” via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also said the organization “wouldn’t rule out anything” in regards to another trade, but they are still happy with their current roster. 

“I wouldn’t rule out anything (with the trade deadline approaching). But that’s not to say we aren’t pretty happy with where we are personnel-wise and what we got to work with. We really feel like we’re just getting started this year,” said Jones, via Machota. 

Jones added that the Cowboys “no concerns” about acquiring veteran DE Michael Bennett from the Patriots, despite being suspended for one week by New England. 

“He’s known as a great locker room personality. There’s nothing negative about him as an individual. … He’s got war daddy in him when he gets on the field. I know that he’ll fit us great,” said Bennett, via Machota. 

Eagles

Former Eagles CB Orlando Scandrick said Friday on “Undisputed” that his release was “scapegoat-ish” and added “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” about the team’s locker room. 

“Let’s just say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Scandrick said, via ESPN.com. “That locker room is different. I’d tell guys when I came there that I felt like they were still living off that Super Bowl high. It’s over. They’re living in the past.”

Scandrick also took issue with Eagles GM Howie Roseman and how he handled the situation. 

“The problem in Philadelphia is much, much bigger than me,” Scandrick said. “The way it was explained to me by Howie — and I don’t believe anything Howie says. Howie is one of the people that if you told me it was raining outside, I’d probably get some shorts just in case. He put it to me as he wanted to play some younger players and they’re a mess on defense and they needed to get some defensive linemen, so we’ll see how that works out for them this weekend up in Buffalo.”

• Eagles HC Doug Pederson said WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen) is “getting close” to returning and the hope is he’ll practice next week: “[He is] getting close. Hopefully we can get him on the grass next week.” (Jeff McLane)
• Pederson also mentioned that Eagles CB Cre’von LeBlanc (Lisfranc) is also “getting close” to returning and will soon be eligible to be activated from their injured reserve list. (Eliot Shorr-Parks)
• According to Aaron Wilson, the Eagles worked out P Sean Smith on Friday. 
• The Eagles officially ruled out LB Nigel Bradham (ankle, illness), WR DeSean Jackson (abdomen), DT Timmy Jernigan (foot), CB Avonte Maddox (concussion, neck), T Jason Peters (knee), and RB Darren Sproles (quadricep) for Week 8.

Giants

Giants CB Janoris Jenkins was asked about his name coming up in trade rumors leading up to the deadline. Jenkins said “business is business” and he wants to focus on playing.

“Business is business,” said Jenkins, via Dan Duggan. “I want to play football. It ain’t about where I want to be. Just let me play football.” 

• Michael Lombardi believes the Giants should trade LT Nate Solder before the deadline, given that he’s unlikely to be back with the team in 2020.
• The Giants officially ruled out CB Corey Ballentine (concussion) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion) for Week 8’s game.

Redskins

• Redskins president Bruce Allen tells Andrea Krammer of the decision to fire HC Jay Gruden. “We HAD to fire Jay. The team wasn’t responding.”
• As for a permanent replacement, Allen says they’ve heard from every agent: “Let’s just say we’ve heard from every agent. They found our phone number.”
• Ian Rapoport reports that Washington will consider interim Bill Callahan for their head-coaching job along with OC Kevin O’Connell, who could get a look.
• Rapoport expects Washington to officially start up the process in December and begin looking at other candidates.
• Redskins HC Bill Callahan said QB Case Keenum will start Week 9’s game if he is healthy with first-round QB Dwayne Haskins being their starter in the event Keenum’s unable to play. (Kareem Copeland)