NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

• ESPN’s Todd Archer thinks the Cowboys could go with just two running backs on the initial 53-man roster and call the third up from the practice squad to the gameday roster. 
• If he had to pick a third back, Archer gives UDFA Rico Dowdle the current edge over UDFA Darius Anderson.
• Archer thinks the Cowboys are set at tight end with Blake Jarwin, Blake Bell and Dalton Schultz. 
• Archer notes OL Adam Redmond has been intriguing and received some minor interest at last season’s cut down deadline. 
• Cowboys WR Noah Brown might have the edge as the fifth receiver due to his ability on special teams.

Eagles

Eagles OT Jordan Mailata said he feels “very confident” now that he’s entering his third year in the NFL.

“I’m very confident and very prepared. …It’s my third year going into the league. I feel very confident this year in my playbook, my skills and my ability. So I feel very well prepared to take on the task at hand, if need be,” said Mailata, via Zach Berman.

• Ian Rapoport reports that Eagles first-round WR Jalen Reagor left practice early today with a shoulder injury. However, there’s optimism that this isn’t a serious issue, even though he’ll undergo tests to determine the full extent of the ailment.
• Eagles OL Jason Peters, who requested a pay raise, has a contract that carries a $3 million base salary and $3 million in available incentives. (Mike Garafolo)
• Peters can receive $400,000 through a 75 percent playing time bonus and $500,000 for 85 percent.  He’ll also be eligible to earn $350,000 with 75 percent playing time and a Super Bowl 55 victory, $1 million by achieving 90 percent playing time and first-team All-Pro. Reaching the Pro Bowl earns him $500,000 while qualifying for the playoffs and a Pro Bowl selection brings another $250,000. 
• Eagles HC Doug Pederson said Peters is “in the conversation” to play left tackle, which led to Peters requesting a pay raise should he move back from guard. (Berman)
• Pederson mentioned that he is also considering OL Jordan Mailata, Matt Pryor, and Jack Driscoll at left tackle. 
• The Eagles used Pryor at left tackle during Saturday’s practice while Peters stayed at right guard.
• Eagles’ QB Carson Wentz appeared on NFL Network and mentioned the team’s contract talks with TE Zach Ertz, and his hope that they are also able to retain TE Dallas Goedert: “I hope and pray we can all play together for a very long time. … But while I’ve got them right now, we’re going to make the most of it.” (Mike Garafolo)
• Wentz missed practice Sunday with a minor soft tissue injury. The Eagles listed him as day-to-day with a lower-body injury and don’t appear to be too concerned for his status for the opener. (Jeff McLane)

Washington

Washington’s veteran QB Alex Smith (leg) returned to Saturday’s practice for 9-on-9 drills. Second-year QB Dwayne Haskins called Smith participating in drills “something remarkable.” 

“For him to get out there and just throw a pass is something remarkable, so for him to go out there and do 9-on-9, run around a little bit, throw a pass on the run and make some things happen, it’s super exciting for me, just watching him be that big brother mentor role for me throughout my career here in Washington,” Haskins said, via Lia Assimakopoulos.

Haskins added that Washington’s defense was able to give smith a “real” pass rush in Saturday’s drills. 

“He got some 9-on-9 reps in, and a couple times, he felt how real that pass rush is,” Haskins said. “Alex is an ultra-competitive guy, and we had a conversation after practice today about just how important is was for him to get back out there. I’m extremely happy for him, proud of him, have so much respect for him and know what type of guy he is on and off the field.”

• Washington DL Jonathan Allen went down with an apparent knee injury in practice Sunday. However, Rivera said it doesn’t appear the injury was serious as Allen was lobbying to go back in. (Nicki Jhabvala)