NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Year three has not gotten off to an auspicious start for Cowboys DE Taco Charlton. The former first-round pick in 2017 was the subject of some trade rumors this preseason but ultimately was on Dallas opening day roster. He was not activated, however, sitting out Sunday’s game as a healthy inactive. 

“Well, I think it speaks to our depth,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams. “I think it speaks to the talent level, and I think it speaks to the guys who did dress out, how they have earned that first game start. I think it’s more about the positive part of it than it is anything negative. I’m confident that . . . Charlton can line up out there with the starting group and play and play well.”

Charlton seemed on his way to turning the corner with a stellar performance in the third preseason game against Houston, recording three tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery in 19 snaps. While Jones rebutted some trade rumors with Charlton specifically, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him traded before the deadline this year if he still can’t crack Dallas’ deep rotation.

“He’s just competing,” Cowboys HC Jason Garrett said. “He’s competing for an opportunity to get a jersey on Sunday. That’s what we ask from our guys. You try to build a roster that’s competitive, so you’re competing to make the roster, make the 46 and then you compete for playing time. So he’s just in that mix right now.”

• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said he’s not focused on his ongoing contract negotiations with the Cowboys or when a deal might get done: “I’m focused on the Redskins. After that, I’ll be focused on the next opponent. I have a great team, great agents that are handling that. My focus is all on this team. It’ll get done in due time.” (Jon Machota)
• Asked about comments by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saying a deal was “imminent,” Prescott responded: “You tell me. Ask him. I didn’t say it.” (Machota)

Giants

Bills QB Josh Allen had many teams intrigued by his potential, including Buffalo who traded up to No. 7 overall to draft him. The Giants weren’t quite as enamored with Allen, however, passing on him to take RB Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick. Sunday they’ll get an up close look at the result of that decision against Allen and the Bills. 

“I can comment on what we thought of him,” Shurmur said via Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. “We thought he was a big, strong thrower, a guy that had a chance to be a starter in the NFL, and he has been for them. I think he’s made steady improvements. He’s a very strong-armed guy. He’s helped them win some big games already. Just like any young player, you see where he’ll make mistakes and then correct them.”

• Giants WRs Sterling Shepard (concussion), Darius Slayton (hamstring) and Cody Latimer (unknown) all worked off to the side during practice Thursday per the Athletic’s Dan Duggan. 
• If all three can’t play Sunday, that would leave Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler and recently-signed T.J. Jones as New York’s top receivers. 

Redskins

Regarding his Week 1 benching, Redskins RB Adrian Peterson said it’s “water under the bridge.”

“It’s water under the bridge,” Peterson told JP Finlay of NBC Washington. “The situation is what it is. The only thing I can do now is make the best of it and help the team win games.”

• According to NBC Sports’ JP Finlay, Redskins RB Derrius Guice is likely headed for injured reserve with the hope of returning later in the season when he’s recovered from surgery on his meniscus. 
• Redskins CB Fabian Moreau and TE Jordan Reed returned to practice Thursday. (John Keim)
• Reed remains in the concussion protocol but there’s more optimism he’ll be able to play this week.