NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Despite not playing since 2017, Cowboys TE Jason Witten has apparently looked good during OTA’s and weighs in the high 250s-low 260s. 

“Yeah, he looks like the same guy to me,” HC Jason Garrett said via Pro Football Talk. “He was doing different things. He was traveling the world, announcing football. But you could tell he kept himself in shape, and you could tell this has been on his mind. He really hasn’t skipped a beat. Completely involved in our offseason program, on the field with us last week. He looked really good. He’s moving well. Excited to have him back.”

Former Cowboys DE Demarcus Ware said he’s spoken with the team about a consultant role. 

“I think it will be a great opportunity for me to come back here and coach the guys,” Ware said via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I always say I want to teach the championship mentality and if I can come here at least two or three days a week, teaching them Wednesdays and Thursdays and teach the pass rushers how to pass rush, stopping the run but then I always help the offensive line, like Tyron Smith, with their technique. The thing is I can still do it. You’ve got a coach that can get out there, not just say how to do it, can show tape that they remember on how to do it but then get out there and do it as well with them. That’s what I feel like the team needs.”

Giants

• According to the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta, at least one team asked QB Daniel Jones to work out as a tight end at the NFL Combine this year because they didn’t think he’d fit at quarterback. 
• Free-agent pass rushers Ezekiel Ansah, Shane Ray and Matt Longacre could be potential targets for the Giants following Tuesday, May 7, when free agent signing no longer count against the compensatory pick formula. (Matt Lombardo)

Redskins

Redskins QB Case Keenum says he’s excited to play with and compete with QB Dwayne Haskins, and that he’s not necessarily there to be another coach for the rookie. 

“My job is to help this team win no matter what,” Keenum said. “That’s being ready to play, that’s being ready … to move the ball and get first downs, get touchdowns, score points. That’s my job. Along that process there are different things you learn. We’ve got a lot of great coaches in that quarterback room; I don’t need to be a coach in that sense. I learned more by watching players around me so there’s that too. First and foremost my job is to get ready to play and be ready when this team needs me.”

Despite not picking up his fifth-year option, the Redskins say they’re not giving up on WR Josh Doctson. 

“I think Josh is an excellent player,” Redskins HC Jay Gruden said via the Athletic’s Rhiannon Walker. “He just hasn’t had the numbers production wise, fantasy football wise that people would seem to expect him to have. We’re all expecting big things from Josh this year. Opportunities and production, there’s a fine line there. He hasn’t had the opportunities a lot of No. 1 receivers have had in the NFL.” 

• Gruden said he’s hopeful QB Colt McCoy will be ready to play by training camp. (John Keim)