NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the media he is still aware that S Earl Thomas is a free agent at this time.

“I’m aware Thomas is out there,” Jones said, via Pro Football Talk. “I also am interested at this juncture in improving this team now. Right now.”

• Per the Athletic’s Jon Machota, Jones didn’t sound optimistic about OT La’el Collins‘ injury status: “We don’t know, I don’t know, the doctors don’t know. We’re trying to work through some structure issues. … The longer you go, the less optimistic you get.”
• Jane Slater reports that Cowboys T La’el Collins is attempting to work through a hip injury. Slater was told the following on whether or not surgery was a possibility for Collins: “If it was Week 10 and the team was 0-8 it would be something they would explore but we are still hoping it’s manageable.”
• Jones also said he was hoping to draft Chiefs’ first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft: “I see a team that is clicking, they’re the Super Bowl champs and they look like they got better — the running back is outstanding, I watched him live last year at LSU. I loved him in the draft. I was dreaming that he might get over in the second and be where we could look at him. He’s an exceptional player.” (Pro Football Talk)

Eagles

Eagles’ DC Jim Schwartz isn’t ready to reveal who will start in place of injured CB Avonte Maddox this week.

“We’re going to keep our cards a little close to our vest of how we’re going to cover up some of our packages and how we’re going to play personnel,” Schwartz said, via Mike Kaye of NJ.com. “We’ll have a good plan come Sunday.”

The team could pair CB Darius Slay with a number of different players including Cre’Von Leblanc, Nickell Robey-Coleman, or Trevor Williams. They could also look to former cornerback turned safety Jalen Mills.

• Eagles’ WR DeSean Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and was listed as day-to-day, meanwhile, WR Alshon Jeffery should expect to see an increase in his workload. (Tim McManus)
• Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson says his confidence level in QB Carson Wentz is still very high despite the recent struggles by the team. (Eliot-Shorr Parks)
• Pederson said he sees QB Nick Mullens as a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL: “San Francisco is blessed with probably two starters, frankly. He’s a smart kid, puts the time in. he doesn’t make mistakes. It’s rare you see a poor decision or bad throw on tape. … He’s letting the offense work for him.” (Inman)

Washington

Washington HC Ron Rivera doubled down on his comments from earlier Monday regarding QB Dwayne Haskins‘ job security. Haskins threw three interceptions in the team’s 34-20 loss to the Browns and Rivera reiterated that if he doesn’t see growth from Haskins, he’s not ruling out benching the 2019 first-round pick. 

“There’s a frustration to it,” Rivera said Monday on the Washington Football Talk podcast. “Right now, I’m at the position where we have to see the growth. If we never play him, he never grows, but there is a point where you say, ‘OK, maybe taking a step back and watching is the best thing for you now.’ We will see.” 

Part of the situation for Rivera is his team actually is tied for first place in the NFC East right now with a 1-2 record, sitting right alongside the Cowboys also at 1-2. If either backup QB Kyle Allen or even Alex Smith gives Washington a better chance to win, Rivera has to consider it. 

“We have to look where we are right now and say, ‘Gosh, we might be in position,’” Rivera said. “That’s something you have to think about as well. It will play into [the quarterback decision], trust me. I went through this in 2014.”

• Ian Rapoport reports that Washington rookie DE Chase Young sustained a “moderate” groin strain against the Browns on Sunday. He is expected to miss Week 4 against the Ravens and will be considered week-to-week going forward.