NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Cowboys’ DC Mike Nolan spoke about the tackle by DT Trysten Hill that injured Seahawks’ RB Chris Carson: “It’s not something we coach or teach. I know the player and Trysten Hill is not a dirty player. I think in his mind he was just finishing the play.” (Jon Machota)
• Nolan mentioned how the team’s defensive backs played against Seattle: “I thought they played aggressively. I don’t know that there was a lot of winning grades going along on the back end, but at the same time, they played hard and they continued to mix it up throughout the game.” (Machota)
• Nolan also spoke about DE Aldon Smith, who he says is about 20-25 pounds heavier than when he last played in the NFL: “He shows a lot of strength in his game. More strength than, I think, he showed as a younger player.” (Michael Gehlken)
• The Cowboys will continue using RB Tony Pollard as their kick returner for Week 4. The team is also not interested in adding any defensive backs, and could still be without DE DeMarcus Lawrence who is suffering through a knee injury. (Calvin Watkins)
• On the offensive line, T Terence Steele has lost around ten pounds after dealing with the flu, while OL La’el Collins is still going to need time to return healthy and T Tyron Smith is getting close to being able to return. 

Eagles

Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson explained that they had to find other options at running back on Sunday due to fatigue that was being suffered by RB Miles Sanders.

“Not to make excuses or whatever, but there was a little fatigue that set in and Miles alluded to that,” Pederson said, via Mike Kaye of NJ.com. “We had to be cautious late in the game. There are times where you just make the decision to maybe shift gears and go a little different direction, and that’s what we did yesterday.”

• The Athletic’s Bo Wulf and Zach Berman write the Eagles are unlikely to bench QB Carson Wentz unless the team is eliminated from playoff contention, at which point evaluating second-round QB Jalen Hurts becomes a bigger priority. 
• They add Philadelphia could also choose to sit Wentz with an injury, even if it’s not season-ending, to evaluate Hurts. 
• Eagles CB Avonte Maddox says he thinks he’ll miss one or two weeks with his ankle injury. (Marc Farzetta)

Giants

• According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Giants S Jabrill Peppers will not need surgery on his ankle and there’s even a chance he could return in Week 4 against the Rams. 
• NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton says, however, a return this week might be too optimistic and the team will wait and see with Peppers. 
• Giants signed DB Madre Harper off of the Raiders’ practice squad. (NFLTR)
• Giants released QB Cooper Rush and RB Rod Smith from their practice squad. (NFLTR)

Washington

• While it remains to be seen how Washington will replace injured DT Matt Ioannidis, ESPN’s John Keim mentioned that defensive linemen Tim Settle or James Smith-Williams could potentially help fill the gap. 
• Washington signed DE Nate Orchard to their active roster. (NFLTR)
• Washington placed DT Matt Ioannidis on injured reserve. (NFLTR)