NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Part of the reason for the Cowboys’ slow start at 1-3 has been their league-leading nine turnovers. Two of those have come from RB Ezekiel Elliott, who has already fumbled three times in four games. It’s one of many areas Dallas has targeted for improvement.  

“I can’t give up the ball anymore,” Elliott said via the team’s official website.

“It hurts,” he continued. “I look at myself as a leader for this team. And I look at myself as someone who’s supposed to help pick the team up when we get down and not be the cause of falling behind.”

  • Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said LB Leighton Vander Esch is “ahead of schedule” in his rehab from a broken collarbone. (Michael Gehlken)
  • However, McCarthy noted LT Tyron Smith is “further back than he was this time last week.” Smith appears to have suffered a setback with his neck and may have to miss more time. (Gehlken)
  • Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said of Smith: “Right now, it’s a big, big question. All things are on the table. We have to look at Tyron’s best interest for his career. …It seems like it’s one foot forward, and two steps back so far with that injury.” (Jon Machota)
  • Cowboys RT La’el Collins underwent successful hip surgery and will rehab with the goal of coming back in 2021. (Jane Slater)

Eagles

Regarding Eagles WRs Alshon Jeffery (foot), DeSean Jackson (hamstring), and JJ Arcega-Whitside (calf) returning from injury, HC Doug Pederson said he’ll have to make a difficult roster decision on receivers John Hightower, Travis Fulgham and Greg Ward

“Honestly, I hope we have those tough choices to make with the guys we got, the guys we got coming down the pipeline here,” Pederson said, via Mike Kaye of NJ Advance Media. “That would be a great situation because right now, we’re not in that situation. So it would be great to have those choices.”

Pederson said he is not currently focused on the Eagles’ depth chart at the receiver position. 

Quite honestly, we’ll figure that out when we get to that point and we cross that bridge,” said Pederson. 

Washington

  • Per NBC Sports’ JP Finlay, Washington QB Kyle Allen will be evaluated game-by-game as the starter. 
  • On what Allen brings to the offense, Washington HC Ron Rivera responded: “He’s kind of a game manager with some big-play ability…. Always steady; always smart. Tough as nails. Doesn’t say much, just goes about his business. He’s very professional.” (John Keim)
  • Rivera said team owner Dan Snyder, who pushed for the last regime to draft QB Dwayne Haskins in the first round, was fine with his decision to bench him: “I explained to (Snyder) why I wanted to do it and he was very supportive. He told me: ‘Ron, it’s your football team. Those decisions you’re going to make; you’re going to live with those decisions.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir, I am.’ Then he said: ‘Well, I’m all supportive and I’m behind you 100 percent.’” (Ben Standig)
  • Washington first-round DE Chase Young (groin) returned to practice Thursday and appeared to be moving around well in practice per Rivera. (Keim)

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