NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• Regarding Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith‘s five-year, $64 million contract extension from August of last year, owner Jerry Jones called the deal a “home run” and said he has no regrets signing Smith or RB Ezekiel Elliott to extensions. (Calvin Watkins)
• Jones said he is unsure about the severity of Cowboys RT Zack Martin (calf) and LT Cameron Erving‘s (knee) injuries but they could affect Dallas for the remainder of the season: “I don’t know how serious they are, but I do know that they’ve got the potential to impact us the rest of the season.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said on Friday that Martin and Erving are expected to miss “multiple weeks” with their injuries. (Michael Gehlken)
• As for the Cowboys’ failed fake punt on fourth-and-10 from their own 24-yard line in Thursday’s loss to Washington, Jones said the coaching staff felt the need to create a big play: “Our coaches thought we were teetering and we were having real limitations in certain areas and we needed to pull one out.” (Machota)
• Regarding whether he prefers a playoff berth or a higher draft position, Jones said he would “unquestionably” want a chance in the playoffs: “Oh, I think coming off a playoff appearance. Unquestionably. This is now. There’s really not a decision here on our team of tanking. That’s just not gonna be the case.” (Machota)
• Albert Breer of SI.com lists Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay as a name to watch in connection to GM opening during the offseason.

Eagles

• John Clark of NBC Sports reports that veteran OT Jason Peters will rotate to right guard and Jordan Mailata will play at left tackle.
• According to Clark, Peters has been playing through a turf toe on his left foot this season and aggravated the injury. 
• Albert Breer of SI.com lists Eagles assistant director of player personnel Ian Cunningham as a name to watch in connection to GM opening during the offseason.

Giants

• Giants HC Joe Judge said he’d like to use a rotation at guard in Week 12, which will likely include Will Hernandez, Kevin Zeitler, and rookie Shane Lemieux. (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post expects Lemieux to start over Hernandez in Sunday’s game. 
• According to Rosenblatt, the Giants have been using veteran OL Chad Slade at tackle in practice and he could fill in for OT Matt Peart (COVID-19) as New York’s third offensive tackle.
• Judge is “very optimistic” that K Graham Gano will be activated off the COVID-19 list and start Week 12’s game against the Bengals.
• Vacchiano notes that Giants CB James Bradberry is expected to practice on Saturday after missing the last two days due to personal reasons.
• Giants OC Jason Garrett said he has a “great relationship” with HC Joe Judge: “I think I have a great relationship with Joe. … I have nothing but great respect for him.” (Art Stapleton)
• Giants’ rookie S Xavier McKinney said he feels “ready to go” after recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot back in August: “I’m ready to go. I feel good.“
• McKinney added that he is waiting on an official word from the Giants’ medical staff and HC Joe Judge regarding when he will be activated from their injured reserve and what his defensive role will be going forward. (Art Stapleton)
• Giants DC Patrick Graham mentioned that they plan to acclimate McKinney “slowly” in their defense, but it still unclear whether McKinney debuts in Week 12 or 13. (Pat Leonard)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 12: CB Brandon Williams (ankle)