NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Per USA Today’s Jori Epstein, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defended his choice of HC Mike McCarthy and said his confidence in him is unshaken: “We wanted someone that in case the you-know-what hit the fan, that had the credibility and doability to stand strong and tall as head coach. He’s doing that. He’s doing that in the face of adversity.”
• Albert Breer of SI reports sources within the Cowboys are “alarmed” how often LB Jaylon Smith is at the center of big plays allowed on defense.
• Breer wouldn’t be shocked if Smith is on the outs in Dallas next season if he continues to play poorly, regardless of who is in control of their defense. 
• Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports the Cowboys are not actively shopping any certain players but are open to making a deal. They will also be making calls as they normally would prior to the deadline.
• Ed Werder of ESPN notes Cowboys DE Everson Griffen has over $3 million left on his contract and a trade with Seattle could make sense for both sides. However, Dallas ended up dealing Griffen to the Lions on Tuesday.
• Cowboys’ DC Mike Nolan said of Griffen Monday: “He was productive in the game (Sunday). He has done some good things. He had some plays he’d probably like to have back, but he’s also made some plays.” (Jon Machota)
• As for DE Randy Gregory being limited with the team so far, Nolan said they will “slowly work him in as we go.” The trade of Griffen should free up more reps. (Jane Slater)
• McCarthy says fourth-round C Tyler Biadasz will remain the starter despite the fact that C Joe Looney is set to return from injured reserve after recovering from a knee injury. (Michael Gehlken)
• Cowboys’ OC Kellen Moore says rookie WR CeeDee Lamb needs to make improvements after not catching a pass last week: “It’s time to bounce back. He’s a great player. He didn’t have his best game. He’ll be the first to tell ya…We’re going to keep giving him opportunities. He deserves it. He’s earned it” (Gehlken)

Eagles

• SI.com’s Ed Kracz notes the Packers and Ravens were interested in Eagles TE Zach Ertz before he went on injured reserve. 
• Eagles ST coordinator Dave Fipp defended slumping K Jake Elliott, who has missed a field goal each of the past three games: “I still really have a lot of belief in the guy. He’s a really good player. He has not played as well as he needs to play, or as well as he wants to play. But I think when it’s all said and done, he’ll end up turning this thing around.” (Zach Berman)

Giants

• Per NFL Media’s Andrew Siciliano, Giants HC Joe Judge said any discipline for QB Daniel Jones and others spotted out without masks last Friday would be handled internally. 
• Giants signed TE Rysen John and S Montre Hartage to their practice squad. (NFLTR)
• Giants released C Javon Patterson from their practice squad. 
• Giants designated DB Brandon Williams to return from injured reserve. 

Washington

• Per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington team president Jason Wright said the goal is to have picked a new name by the middle of next year even if that’s not when they’ll be able to launch it: “At our current pace, we hope to have chosen a new name by the middle of next year. While we won’t be able to reveal that immediately, choosing the name is just part of the process.”
• Wright says the team could stay the Washington Football Team in 2021 but he expects a resolution on a new name by the start of the 2022 season: “So yes, we could possibly remain the Washington Football Team in 2021 … but I promise you this: You won’t have to go another season with uncertainty beyond 2021.”
• Washington placed S Landon Collins on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Washington promoted S Jeremy Reaves to their active roster.