NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• Kevin Turner reports that Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is booked to fly back to Cabo on Saturday. 
• Jonathon Shipman reports that the Cowboys and Elliott were in contact late last night, and that a deal could come together over the weekend.
• Stephen Jones said of contract talks with Elliott: “I don’t think we’re close because there hasn’t been a lot of activity. Right now I wouldn’t say that I feel anything’s imminent.” (Jeff Cavanaugh)
• Even so, Jones added: “We feel confident things will get done. Things happen real quick, sometime within hours…We’re very optimistic that we’re going to have everyone available.” (105.3 The Fan)
• According to Michael Spagnola, Cowboys WR Amari Cooper is dealing with an “intrinsic muscle strain,” not plantar fasciitis. (Shan Shariff)

Giants

Following Thursday’s preseason game, Giants HC Pat Shurmur seemingly left the door open for first-round QB Daniel Jones start Week 1. 

“I’ve said it all along. Daniel, when it’s his time to play is gonna be ready, and we’re gonna continue to get him ready,” Shurmur said. “We got a couple of weeks left before we play Dallas.”

However, Shurmur made it clear Friday that Eli Manning is still their starting quarterback. 

“Eli’s our starter, and we’re getting Daniel ready to play,” Shurmur said, per Bob Glauber. “[Jones] has done a good job in the preseason. He’s getting better and he’s going to do continue to do that, so that at whatever time we need him to play, he’ll be ready.”

Shurmur also said it’s time to start asking Jones’ critics what they think about the rookie’s performance thus far. 

“You can ask me all you want about why I like him,” Shurmur said. “I think it’s time to start asking the people that didn’t like him what they think, quite frankly.”

Redskins

Redskins RB Derrius Guice returned to his first game action on Thursday since suffering a torn ACL last year. 

“It’s been a long time, bro,” Guice said, via Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post. “I knew it was something I needed. I needed to get out there, get my feet under me, get some contact to really see where I’m at.”

Redskins HC Jay Gruden says he was impressed by what he saw from the second-year running back.

“It was important to get him the ball,” Gruden said. “Wanted to give him quite a few touches. Get him some rhythm, a sweat. Get used to hitting the ground, getting hit, tackled, protecting the football…I think it was a productive night for him. Looked like he was decisive with his cuts for the most part, ran with some power at times, moved the pile when there wasn’t anything there. I was impressed.”

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media confirms that Redskins TE Jordan Reed is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, which is concerning given that this would be his seventh reported concussion during his NFL career.
• John Keim reports that Redskins CB Fabian Moreau‘s foot is in a protective cast and he will be re-evaluated in a few days.