NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence says that while he wants to play this season, he’s debating about whether to report to training camp on time, considering that his wife, Sasha, is pregnant and due in October. 

“I’m taking it one time at a time, talking with my team and trying to figure out as many details as possible before I make a decision and have it set in stone,” Lawrence said, via ESPN.com. “Shoot, I love to ride with my brothers and play the game of football. When I have to take that away from myself, it’s hard and I don’t want to make a decision like that. But I also have to make sure I’m taking care of my family. Family is No. 1. After the game of football is done, that’s the only thing I have to depend on, so I’ve got to take care of them.”

Lawrence says he’s heard that one possibility could be for players to isolate from his family during camp.

“You can incarcerate the body, but you can’t incarcerate the mind. That’s the choice of your freedom,” Lawrence said. “I feel like I’ll be OK. I know my wife’s a strong woman. She always steps forward for our family if we have to make this sacrifice in order to make sure our family is striving and still surviving. Other than that, do I want to? Hell no. But sometimes you have to roll with the punches, stand up, stand your ground and do whatever you have to do to make things happen.”

Eagles

• Geoff Mosher reports Eagles’ first-round WR Jalen Reagor is expected to sign his rookie contract on Monday after passing his physical. 
• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice expects a slight increase in playing time and production for Eagles TE Dallas Goedert in 2020, who played 66 percent of the snaps and caught 58 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns. 
• Kempski notes even though Goedert is the apparent victim in a criminal assault case, it has the potential to develop into a distraction. 
• Kempski expects Eagles undrafted rookie TE Noah Togiai to end up on the practice squad with the team seemingly content with TE Josh Perkins as its No. 3 tight end. 

Washington

Ron Rivera said he has “no regrets” about signing on to be Washington’s head coach, despite all that has transpired with the franchise since he took the job.

“No regrets,” Rivera said, via the Charlotte Observer. “I look forward to the challenge of improving a 3-13 team. I want to build a sustainable winning culture, in every facet.”

Rivera said that Washington having the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, being in good salary cap position, and having time to fix things were all selling points toward joining the organization. 

“I knew that money was not an issue,” Rivera said. “They (Washington) are a very young team holding the 2nd pick of the draft. Salary cap (was) in a good position as well and… I had time to fix things.”

Rivera added that Washington is following new business practices and mentioned that his daughter has been hired by the franchise. 

“Biggest thing is that we have to move forward from this and make sure everybody understands we have policies that we will follow and that we have an open-door policy with no retribution,” Rivera said. “Plus my daughter works for the team and I sure as hell am not going to allow any of this!”