NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott acknowledged that contract negotiations will occur next offseason, but added he is not worried about needing a big season to boost his salary.

“It’s kind of known,” Prescott said, via ProFootballTalk. “It’s not anything I got to stick in my head [that] I’ve got to do this; I’ve got to do that to get that. I play my game. I do what I am asked to do. All that stuff will come. It’s not anything I worry about.”

• Cowboys DE Randy Gregory will play in Week 1’s game against the Panthers. Regarding Gregory, Cowboys HC Jason Garrett said: “We were going to try to use our eyes and see how he looked and listen to him about how he felt and then keep progressing it forward. At every turn he’s handled it the right way.” (Todd Archer)
• Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said of first-round LB Leighton Vander Esch: “He’s everything you look for in a linebacker. I just think he’s going to be a tremendous football player for the Cowboys. I think he’s going to make a difference right away.” (Jon Machota)

Giants

• Dan Duggan reports that the Giants released DL Josh Banks from their practice squad.
• The Giants officially ruled out OLB Olivier Vernon (ankle) and LB Tae Davis (hamstring) for Week 1’s game.

Redskins

Redskins HC Jay Gruden was asked his thoughts about his brother, Jon, trading Khalil Mack away for draft picks and mentioned LT Trent Williams as the kind of franchise player you’re hoping will finish out his career with the team.

“Well, I’m not out there. I know he’s a great player. That’s all. Obviously, the Raiders have their reasons. Like I said, you lose a great player every now and then. You know you try to keep your franchise-type players,” Gruden tells The Sports Capitol. “You never want Trent Williams to leave this building. You want to make sure he has his [locker area] nice and neat. He’s never going to leave until he wants to leave football forever, you know what I mean? You hate to have those guys go, but sometimes it happens. If you get a great offer, draft picks, what it is and you can’t afford him or there are other circumstances … but you try to keep the great ones.”