NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Because there’s not much the two sides can do about it until after the season, the talk around the Cowboys’ negotiations with QB Dak Prescott should die down a little. However, the problem isn’t going anywhere as the two sides remain dug in on their positions, with length of the deal remaining as the big hangup preventing a deal. However, former Cowboys QB Tony Romo, who knows everyone involved in the negotiations pretty well, is confident Prescott remains a Cowboy. 

“I understand both sides,” Romo said via CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker. “I understand Dak’s side because he’s right. And the Cowboys are right. There is no perfect answer here. ...It’s just a different time right now, where QBs are understanding their leverage and teams are having to adjust what they’re doing. I think it’ll still get done. It’s obviously not ideal for anyone, but I think it’ll get done.” 

• Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said he has no hesitation playing second-round CB Trevon Diggs as a starter even against Falcons WR Julio Jones: “I don’t have any hesitation on playing (him), no disrespect to Julio or any of their WRs. He’s earned the starting position at (CB) for so many good reasons. He’ll line up and play and the game will unfold the way it does. He’s a very impressive young man.” (Jon Machota)
• Cowboys OLB Aldon Smith missed practice Thursday due to a dentist appointment but should be fine for Sunday. (Todd Archer)

Eagles

• Per the Athletic’s Bo Wulf, Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald notes the deal Chiefs TE Travis Kelce signed is incredibly team-friendly and thus it’s not surprising Eagles TE Zach Ertz doesn’t want to use it as a framework for his extension.
• Kelce gets just $3 million in new money the next two years, which were the original years he had under contract, and then has a low base salary of $7.5 million in 2022. There’s a good chance he doesn’t see most of the money in the deal. 
• Fitzgerald notes there’s a good chance 2020 is Ertz’s last season in Philadelphia, as he is either a potential cap casualty next year or could try and force a trade. 
• As for Eagles TE Dallas Goedert, Fitzgerald said a deal in the range of what the Browns signed TE Austin Hooper for at a little over $10 million a year is probably a fair expectation. 
• Eagles DE Brandon Graham (concussion) was able to practice in some capacity Thursday. (Jimmy Kempski

Washington

Regarding Washington’s rookie RB Antonio Gibson‘s struggles in Week 1, OC Scott Turner reminded reporters that he is a “young player” who still needs to develop. 

“He’s a young player. I think that’s the biggest thing. As a rookie, you don’t want to overwork those guys or put them in too much of a situation early. I think that his role will continue to grow,” said Turner, via Ben Standig. 

Turner added that Washington RB Peyton Barber got the majority of snaps given they finished Week 1 in a four-minute situation. 

“Again, we’ve got two other backs. The way the snaps went, with Peyton we finished the game in a four-minute situation where we basically ran the ball to use the clock at the end. That’s why his snap count was so high. We also had a lot of redzone runs which we felt good about and Peyton was able to get it in the endzone twice, which was good,” said Turner.

Turner explained that game situations will continue to dictate which running back gets the most playing time. 

“Based on how games play themselves out, that’ll dictate a lot of snaps. But Antonio, his game is only going to grow with the more experience he has. I think, hey, get got his first game under his belt, he got tackled, he got a couple of runs. Understanding the speed of the game, I think his comfort level will just increase,” said Turner, via Standig. 

• Per ESPN’s John Keim, Washington HC Ron Rivera acknowledged the team has a “ways to go” on offense and it might not be until “early next season” when it’ll look like it’s supposed to: “Lot of little nuances that we have to improve on. As we grow… we can make things happen. Right now we’re just scratching the surface.”
• Washington fourth-round OT Saahdiq Charles is off the injury report and competing to play at left tackle. (Rhiannon Walker)