NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

• Cowboys LT Tyron Smith returned to practice today after dealing with a hamstring injury: “Everything is looking positive right now and moving forward like usual. It’s just a little nick. Getting past it and listening to the trainers.” (Jon Machota)
• Smith also mentioned the team’s recent addition of LB Aldon Smith: “Heck of a player. It doesn’t look like he’s lost a step at all. Still the same guy. Still has the talent. Still has a work ethic. He brings it every day…It’s kinda difficult to describe him because you never know what (move) he’s gonna bring to you.” (Machota)
• Cowboys T Mitch Hyatt is expected to miss “an extensive period of time” following the evaluation of a knee injury that he suffered during practice. (Michael Gehlken)

Eagles

Eagles DL Joe Ostman said he has been “balancing the reps” along their defensive line but is getting experience at multiple positions. 

“Throughout camp, we’ve had guys out of practice for different reasons, and (I’m) just kind of balancing the reps for guys,” Ostman said, via Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media. “At the same time, I want to be able to rush from anywhere on the D-line, so those reps are valuable to me, too.”

Ostman said he’s gotten a lot of work against Eagles OT Jordan Mailata and feels they’ve helped each other improve.  

“I think we’ve improved together,” Ostman said. “I have had a lot of reps against him, but I think we’ve helped each other to get better every day.”

• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice lists Eagles CB Sidney Jones, CB Rasul Douglas, Mailata, G Sua Opeta and DE Shareef Miller as potential trade candidates. 
• Kempski writes Jones has flashed some talent but is buried on the depth chart due to injuries and could use a change of scenery. Douglas is performing better but could be a stronger scheme fit elsewhere. 
• As for Mailata and Opeta, the Eagles have a numbers crunch along the offensive line and a team with more space to develop them could have interest. However, this was before LT Andre Dillard‘s injury
• Miller hasn’t done much, but Kempski notes he’s a former fourth-round draft pick so another team might want to take a chance.

Washington

Last year, there was an outcry when Washington deactivated RB Adrian Peterson because then-HC Jay Gruden wanted more flexible personnel and already had a lead back with Derrius Guice. Nearly a year later, Guice is gone and the 35-year-old Peterson is looking at a role as Washington’s lead back on early downs. 

“He’s showing exactly what I hoped for, and that’s setting the tone,” Washington HC Ron Rivera said via Pro Football Talk. “In a couple of situations where we’re running the ball downhill and you look at some of these defenses, especially when you’re on tape and you see an arm come out, you just know Adrian’s running through that arm. You know he’s going to break those arm tackles. He’s going to pick up four, five, six yards on second down. That’s what you want. That’s what he’s here for — to set the tone, set the tempo for our offense as a physical team.”

Week 1 was the only game Peterson missed last season as he continues to be a picture of durability. He had a scare with his ankle in practice recently but avoided an injury.

“Everything is good,” Peterson said. “My left ankle got kind of twisted up and caught. Thank God it came free. That little expression you heard was when it was tweaked and then came free. I was like, ‘Thank you Jesus.’ It could’ve been bad. But, yeah, I’m good.”

• Washington signed S Sean Davis this offseason ostensibly to start next to S Landon Collins. But so far in training camp, it’s been 2018 fourth-round S Troy Apke running almost exclusively with the starters after impressing HC Ron Rivera: “Troy’s really stepping into the forefront. He’s handling his situation very well and he’s showing some growth.” (JP Finlay)