NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

When the Cowboys first approached the Jets about a potential trade for S Jamal Adams, New York’s first request was for G Zack Martin to come their way in exchange for Adams. Dallas immediately shut down that idea, a fact which Martin appreciates. 

“Happy they didn’t entertain it,” Martin said via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. “But I try not to look too much into that kinda stuff. A lot of that stuff is news for fans just to look at. I don’t get caught up in that.”

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott signed a deal that made him the highest-paid running back in football before this season. So far though, Elliott said he’s not playing like the best running back in the NFL in 2019. 

“I wouldn’t say so,” Elliott said via the Dallas Morning News’s Michael Gehlken. “I think there’s been running backs that have played better than me this year. … I don’t think it bothers me. It kind of adds a little fuel to the fire. I’ve got some more work to do. That’s all.”

• Cowboys WR Amari Cooper had an MRI on his knee on Wednesday and won’t practice Thursday. (Gehlken)
• However, the MRI is seen as precautionary and Dallas is optimistic Cooper will play this week. (Ian Rapoport)
• The MRI showed Cooper has a bone bruise and he’s expected to return to practice Friday before playing Sunday. (Todd Archer)
• Cooper said as long as the MRI showed something “manageable” he would suit up and play. (Jane Slater)
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said it’s easy to block out his contract negotiation status because it’s not central to why he plays football: “It’s about the reasons I play the game, it’s not for that. All of that is a benefit, it’s a plus. It’s gonna be great when it happens. It doesn’t affect me week to week…All of that stuff is gonna happen.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys OT Cameron Fleming (calf) is expected to miss his second straight game. (Gehlken)
• Cowboys S Jeff Heath should be able to play despite a shoulder injury and knee laceration that needed stitches. (Gehlken)

Giants

Giants HC Pat Shurmur has started fielding questions about his job security after the Giants dropped another game to fall to 2-7 on the season. Shurmur responded that he’s not worried and that he’s “built for this.” Ironically, Shurmur’s predecessor Ben McAdoo said the same phrase just a few weeks before he was fired in his second season as head coach. Shurmur’s hoping to avoid repeating the rest of that story. 

“I feel the urgency to win a football game,” Shurmur said via NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. “Period. . . . I’m built for this. I know that we’re on the right path. I know we’re a few plays away from getting over the top. We can build on that.”

• According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants are seriously considering placing WR Sterling Shepard on injured reserve after his concussion symptoms cropped up again last week. 
• ESPN’s Field Yates says the Giants put in a claim on former Seahawks WR Gary Jennings, but Miami had a higher claim. 
• Shurmur told reporters Giants C Jon Halapio is “a ways away” with his hamstring injury and Spencer Pulley is expected to start at center Sunday against the Jets. (Dan Duggan)

Redskins

• According to ESPN’s John Keim, the Redskins will continue to start RB Adrian Peterson even when they get back RB Derrius Guice this week. 
• Redskins placed LT Trent Williams on the non-football injury list. (NFLTR)