NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Daniel Jones

Cowboys

• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said DE DeMarcus Lawrence underwent a cleanup operation on his back and it is not considered a serious issue: “It’s more of a cleanup. There is not high concern, he looks great, it’s probably more us than him as far as the timeline of him coming back.” (Calvin Watkins)
• As for Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, DT Trysten Hill, and Lawrence starting training camp on the Active/PUP list, McCarthy reiterated that he isn’t concerned: “It’s not of high concern. I don’t have any long terms concerns (with any of the injuries).” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys’ second-year LB Francis Bernard left Thursday’s practice after suffering a hamstring injury. (Michael Gehlken)

Eagles

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye points out that 2021 is a critical year for Eagles DEs Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat. Both are entering contract years and Kaye thinks Philadelphia will only retain one at the most going forward in 2022. 
• Kaye adds DEs Joe Ostman and sixth-round rookie Tarron Jackson are on the bubble and competing to force Philadelphia to keep a fifth defensive end. 
• According to Jimmy Kempski, the Eagles should look into trading DT Fletcher Cox, which would clear them of $15 million this year and $16 million next year. Kempski names the Chargers, Patriots, Cardinals and Seahawks as possible trade partners.
• 94 WIP’s Howard Eskin elaborates on his report regarding Eagles TE Zach Ertz reporting to training camp, saying the team didn’t find enough demand on the trade market for Ertz and didn’t get an offer they thought was fair. 
• Erskin adds Ertz has resigned himself to put the past in the past and enter 2021 as the No. 2 tight end behind Dallas Goedert.

Giants

Giants CB Logan Ryan said QB Daniel Jones has been working hard with his receivers this offseason and is earning the veteran cornerback’s respect. 

“The thing with him, it’s a year-to-year league,” Ryan said, via ProFootballTalk. “And Daniel is doing everything [you] can ask him to do — from last season to now. You heard about him flying out the receivers time and time again, bringing those guys, paying for those guys to come out and throw. He was at OTAs commanding the offense. He’s another year in it. So really, he’s doing everything [he] can do to earn my respect as a two-time champion, as a nine-year pro, as a guy who’s been around a lot of great players — he’s doing everything [he] can to earn my respect with his work ethic day in and day out. You hear him in the weight room. You hear him having throwing sessions. You hear him meeting with the coaches when it’s time to meet.”

Logan added that Jones is “extremely prepared” for the 2021 season and reaffirmed that he’s a leader around the locker room. 

“So he’s doing everything he can possibly to do set himself up for success and that’s all you can do. You’ve got to fall down to your level of preparation and I feel like he’s extremely prepared. Training camp is another scenario, another situation to get more prepared. It’s practice. So you’ve got to continue to get those reps and go out there and let the chips fall where they may, go out there and win the game. So, we’re all supporting Daniel. He’s got his teammates’ respect and he’s got the organization’s respect and he’s earned that job to be our quarterback.”