NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys’ DC Mike Nolan has been troubled by the team’s recent performances on defense, following some substantial injuries

“I would say it’s just disappointing to lose and in particular when you give up big plays, that always kind of hurts you even more,” Nolan said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “The most disappointing thing was at the end of the game when we had them in a situation where we could have won the game, or at least get pretty close to it had we stopped them on the fourth down, that was a big play in the ballgame, for us anyhow. So there are little battles here and there that disappoint more than others. That will always be your biggest challenge just because the ‘next man up’ is a nice thing to live by, but there is a reason that somebody’s a starter and somebody’s a backup. And maybe one day that backup would become the starter, but I would rather work on the eventual thing than the right now. And sometimes the injuries force a young guy to step up and do it, and that’s just everybody lives in that environment in the NFL.”

• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy on injuries to the offensive line: “Ideally, we want to play Zack Martin squarely at right guard but thought he did well at right tackle. We will continue to explore different combinations.” The team is still unsure if RT La’el Collins will return this season, and surgery is still a possibility. (Michael Gehlken)
• McCarthy noted that LT Tyron Smith would be limited in practice and playing through pain after missing the last two games: “He’s still not all of the way cleared for full contact.” (Gehlken)
• McCarthy spoke about Browns’ QB Baker Mayfield ahead of their matchup in Week 4: “The No. 1 pick of the draft, a Lake Travis High School Cavalier. One of the prideful quarterbacks out of the Austin area, I love his energy. I thought he was a playmaker. Has a lot of zip to the way he plays, he can throw it, he has the ability to move but I think he’s definitely a very good young quarterback that’s got a lot of great football in front of him and hopefully, it’s after this week.” (Calvin Watkins)

• McCarthy said rookie WR CeeDee Lamb will practice this week and explained his absence was due to a workload issue: “He’s clearly 1-2 at the top the number of plays and how much work he’s done. I think he’s a little affected in the game front workload too. This is the first time we went with 10 personnel, four wide receivers into the game. Those guys are playing are a lot of reps.” (Todd Archer)

• Cowboys RG Zack Martin said he is not converting to right tackle after filling in for Terence Steele in Week 3: “No, I’m playing guard.” (Jon Machota)

Eagles

Eagles’ TE Zach Ertz continues to be honest about his contract situation with the team and is only focused on improving his game and helping win games. 

“Once the games started, my sole focus has been on trying to find ways to win football games and get open on time for Carson and be a great teammate, and since the season started I think I’ve done that,” Ertz said, per Zach Berman. “In regards to the contract, that’s not even in my thought process.” 

Giants

Giants’ LB Markus Golden has not seen much usage on defense after he experienced a saga this offseason which found him back with the team he had planned on leaving behind.

“This is a game where they say if you put the work in, the hard work pays off. The game will pay you back in different ways,” Golden said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “Of course, it was frustrating. But after a while, you go back to that ‘business is business’ mindset. You just need to work hard and use everything as motivation.”

• Last week, Giants’ CB Logan Ryan was set to play free safety but had to play all over the field due to the injury sustained by S Jabrill Peppers. Ahead of Week 4, Ryan said he and his teammates “can’t come out there and try to be Superman on every play” or things will go south quickly against a talented Rams offense. (Pat Leonard)

• Jordan Raanan reports that the Giants signed UDFA CB Madre Harper from the Raiders’ practice squad after offering him an extra $25,000 signing bonus. 
• Raanan wouldn’t be surprised to see Harper eventually start within the next few weeks given New York’s problems at cornerback and that he made a “strong impression” on Las Vegas’ practice squad.