NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys’ executive Stephen Jones addressed the injury sustained by QB Dak Prescott and was adamant that he is still in the team’s long term plans. This includes getting a long term contract done with Prescott.

“Anytime you see that type of injury that can happen in our game, we’ve had them from everybody from Alex Smith to Joe Theismann, to have it happen to somebody that’s your own—on your own team—it breaks your heart,”  Jones said, via Albert Breer of SI. “Dak being our leader in every way, it magnified the situation even more. It’s just very, very difficult, knowing how much he loves the game, how much he loves to compete, how much he wants to win for this team. When you saw that, you knew that he was gonna be done for this year, you didn’t need to talk to a doctor or anything like that. There was finality as far as this year is concerned. Doesn’t change anything. We’re all in on trying to get it done. Doesn’t change a thing. Like I said, nothing changes. There is zero change in his contract negotiation status, how much we want to get him signed. Nothing changes. He didn’t lose value. Nothing. It’s a continual work in progress. Obviously, it’s been a challenge for us, in that we haven’t gotten it done, especially with how bad I know he wants to be a Cowboy. And I know how bad we want him to be the leader of this team for the next 10, 12 years.”

• Former NFL QB Joe Theismann would like to give advice to Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott due to the fact that he also suffered a gruesome injury during his playing career: “I’d love to reach out to Dak … just have a conversation with him and tell him no matter what you go through mentally, you’re gonna get through this and you’re gonna be okay. I know he’s gonna be terrific.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said LB Leighton Vander Esch (collarbone) “will not go back out there if he’s vulnerable in any way, inordinately vulnerable as to certainly the injury that he has dealt with. I’ll assure you of that.” (Michael Gehlken)
• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said he hopes the team’s offensive line unit will be: LT: Brandon Knight LG: Connor Williams C: Tyler Biadasz RG: Zack Martin RT: Terence Steele. (Jon Machota)
• McCarthy added: “The best O-lines are the ones that practice every day together and play every game together.” 

Eagles

• ESPN’s Bill Barnwell outlines a potential trade between the Cardinals and the Eagles, with Arizona sending LB Haason Reddick and a 2022 third-round pick for TE Zach Ertz and a 2022 sixth-round pick that can become a fifth. 
• Ertz and the Eagles seem destined for a messy breakup and Arizona could use a reliable tight end for QB Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, Philadelphia gets a third-round pick and an athletic linebacker instead of getting nothing if they cut him this offseason. 
• Barnwell adds the Jets could also explore a trade of S Bradley McDougald to the Eagles for WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside and a seventh-round pick. 
• The Eagles need starting help at safety and Jets GM Joe Douglas was a part of the team when they drafted Arcega-Whiteside in the second-round in 2019. He’s struggled but a fresh start in a shallow New York receiving corps could be good for him. 
• Michael Lombardi said on the “GM Shuffle” podcast that the Eagles have TE Zach Ertz available for trade. Lombardi mentions that Ertz is going to be looking for a similar contract to Travis Kelce and George Kittle and Philadelphia isn’t interested in paying him that kind of money. Lombardi adds that Philadelphia would obviously want a “good asset” in return for Ertz.
• Eagles HC Doug Pederson mentioned that G Matt Pryor is in the illness protocol and will miss Sunday’s game. Jamon Brown will start at RG against the Ravens. (Jeff McLane)
• Pederson told reporters that CB Darius Slay has cleared concussion protocol and is good to go for Sunday. (Eliot Shorr-Parks)
• The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing in K Lirim Hajrullahu and P Matt Wile for tryouts on Thursday. They are also hosting DB Blake Countess for a visit, according to Aaron Wilson.
• OUT for Week 6: S Marcus Epps (rib), WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), WR Alshon Jeffery (foot), T Lane Johnson (ankle), CB Avonte Maddox (ankle), G Matt Pryor (illness), LB Duke Riley (rib)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 6: CB Darius Slay (concussion)

Giants

Giants OLB Markus Golden insists he isn’t frustrated with his role in the team’s defense. 

“Not frustrated at all,” Golden said, via NewYorkGiants.com. “I’ve been in the league for a while, so I know some weeks you can get a lot of plays, other weeks you can’t get lot of plays. My focus every week is the same no matter what. Whether I’m starting, whether I’m backing up, it’s go hard in practice, learn the game plan and prepare like I’m starting. I don’t allow that stuff to get me frustrated. I just try to focus and take it one day at a time and be ready when my name is called.”

• Ralph Vacchiano lists five players that the Giants could consider trading prior to the deadline, including TE Evan Engram, DL Leonard Williams, WR Golden Tate, S Jabrill Peppers, and DT Dalvin Tomlinson.
• Giants HC Joe Judge said he expects WR Darius Slayton (foot) will be able to play on Sunday. (Ralph Vacchiano)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 6: S Adrian Colbert (shoulder), DE Dexter Lawrence (knee), WR Darius Slayton (foot)

Washington

• Washington QB Dwayne Haskins returned to the team’s facility on Friday and was in meetings after dealing with gastrointestinal issues. (Tom Pelissero)
• Washington HC Ron Rivera said it’s unclear if Haskins will travel with the team to New York, as he’s still dealing with stomach issues. (JP Finlay)
• Rivera also said of Haskins: “He looked good. He went out and did the things he was supposed to and it was good to see him out there. A bunch of his teammates camp up and dabbed him up to let him know they’re glad to have him back, and that’s what I was hoping for.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• OUT for Week 6: G Joshua Garnett (illness), T David Sharpe (illness)
• QUESTIONABLE for Week 6: DE Ryan Anderson (back)