NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Brandt doesn’t think Cowboys QB Dak Prescott‘s injury will hurt him that much when it comes to his contract negotiations next year. 
• Brandt notes players like Bears WR Allen Robinson and S Earl Thomas have signed top-of-market deals coming off of serious injuries in contract years. Assuming no complications during Prescott’s rehab, he would be just as in demand as a free agent this year as last, prompting Dallas to use the franchise tag on him again in 2021 at more than $37 million. 
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes most NFL executives don’t appear to be too concerned about Prescott’s long-term prognosis because of the injury. However, there are some concerns about long-term circulation and the injury was to his plant foot instead of his front foot. 
• While Prescott wasn’t universally seen as a top-tier quarterback, one coordinator who regularly gameplans against the Cowboys said that was changing: “He was at the point where he had complete control of that offense. He’s putting them in the right plays and has a real chemistry with [OC Kellen Moore]. He’ll take what the defense gives him. He might not be top-top tier, but he’s close.”
• Another executive thinks Prescott is still in a good position: “The injury doesn’t help, but I still think he’ll be looking at a top-five-quarterback contract when this is all said and done.”
• If Prescott were to hit free agency, the Colts and Bears stand out as teams who would likely make a hard run at him. 
• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reaffirmed the long-term outlook for Prescott concerning the injury is positive: “I don’t have any concerns. It’s all positive relative to a recovery. It’s positive to his chances of getting it back to normal. This is one of those that you can mend and come back and be as good as gold.” (Jon Machota)
• Jones is optimistic Dallas will get Prescott back for at least part of OTAs next spring: “Physically, there should be no problem with him being back in April or early May.”
• In the meantime, Jones says there’s no plans to go after any other quarterback in a trade: “We’ve got our quarterback in Andy Dalton.” (Machota)
• He did acknowledge, however, the expectations certainly change going from Prescott to Dalton: “This does impact expectations. On the other hand, this is a different year. If you ever had a year to approach things in an unorthodox way, this is it.” 

Eagles

Eagles TE Zach Ertz is off to a slow start so far in 2020. Through five games, Ertz has just 145 receiving yards and has caught just 20 of 35 targets. However, his separation numbers are as good as any other year and Eagles HC Doug Pederson said Ertz’s production is being hurt by a poor connection with QB Carson Wentz.

“When I looked at the tape today, there were a couple opportunities for him to make plays. Carson, just the ball sailed a little bit high. We had a red zone route dialed up. We had a false start in the red zone where Zach had a potential touchdown pass there. Carson and Zach, they have to continue to work,” Pederson said via 94WIP’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. “I haven’t seen the ball travel as high towards Zach than it is right now, and those are things as we continue to work through during the week, those two guys will be on the same page. So it’s just a little bit of missed timing right now with those two. But I know it’s something that they will work at and work on each week to get it corrected.”

• Pederson said RT Lane Johnson (ankle) “is in the day-to-day realm” and won’t practice Wednesday. His availability for this week against the Ravens is uncertain. (Jimmy Kempski)
• Asked about the possibility of adding RB Le’Veon Bell, Pederson said they’re happy with RB Miles Sanders: “I think we’ve found our three-down guy in Miles.” (Mike Kaye)
• Pederson told reporters WRs Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson will return to practice this week but it will be tough to take WR Travis Fulgham out of the starting lineup given his play the last two weeks: “It’s a difficult thing. It’s hard to say, Travis we have to push you aside. We have to select the 4 or 5 guys that give us the best chance on game day. Travis has showed he can play at a high level.” (John Clark)

Giants

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says the fact that the Giants have a first-year head coach in Joe Judge could buy GM Dave Gettleman a little bit of leeway in terms of job security at the end of this season.

Washington

• NBC Sports’ JP Finlay says Washington QB Kyle Allen has been cleared and should start in Week 6 against the Giants. 
• Meanwhile, QB Dwayne Haskins was not at practice again on Wednesday as he continues to work through an illness. (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Washington HC Ron Rivera said the team hasn’t just tossed Haskins aside: “I have not quit on the kid as far as his development.” (Finlay)
• Rivera added Haskins came to the team facility Wednesday morning, took a COVID-19 test, saw doctors, got medicine and went home. (John Keim)
• He shot down any idea that the team was keeping him out of the building on purpose, saying while he wasn’t sure exactly, he thinks Haskins has a G.I. tract issue: “We’re not keeping him out of the building, so everyone knows….I don’t really know what the ailment is.” (Jhabvala)
• Asked about if Haskins has gotten any trade interest, Rivera said he didn’t want to “get into hypotheticals” while adding “whatever happens, happens.” (Jhabvala)
• Rivera also didn’t confirm if Haskins had requested a trade or not: “I’m not going to talk about football business.” (Finlay)