NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Because the Cowboys believed they had a legitimate shot to contend entering 2020, they made securing a top-tier backup quarterback a priority, signing Andy Dalton to a one-year, $3 million pact. It gave Dallas the type of insurance policy they saw pay off big for the division-rival Eagles with Nick Foles in 2017, and it gave Dalton a chance to bide his time and earn another chance as a starter in the second half of his career. While Dallas likely hoped to never cash in this insurance, Dalton now has the opportunity he hoped for. 

“It’s one of those things where you never want anything to happen, but you got to stay ready,” Dalton said via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “That’s what I’ve done. I’ve stayed ready, and I’ve been ready to go into these games. You want to have the opportunity to play. I knew the situation I was in, and I was just trying my best to support Dak in whatever he was doing.

“But I feel like I was prepared for these moments. You question guys playing why everything happened the way it did last year, but it got me to this moment right now. I’m very thankful for everything that He has blessed me with and just to get a chance to play today was not in the circumstances that you want. But that’s the thing; injuries happen in this game.”

• Per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is expected to have a four to six-month recovery timetable for his ankle injury. There’s a chance he could be back for OTAs next year. 
• However, Dr. David Chao says a six to nine-month timetable might be more realistic. 
• Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones says the injury hasn’t impacted anything with how they view Prescott long-term as he’s set to be a free agent next offseason: “Absolutely not. He’s our future. If anyone can overcome anything it’s Dak. Feel very good that he can come back stronger and better than ever.” (Machota)

Eagles

• Per NJ.com’s Mike Kaye, Eagles HC Doug Pederson says the team is waiting for a second opinion on RT Lane Johnson‘s injured ankle.
• Eagles CB Darius Slay is also in the concussion protocol, per Pederson. 

Washington

Washington QB Kyle Allen‘s first start was decent until he was knocked from the game with an injury. Allen rushed for a touchdown and completed 9-13 passes for 74 yards. After the game, HC Ron Rivera said he got what he was expecting when he promoted Allen to the starting job. 

“I thought I saw it,” Rivera said via Pro Football Talk. “I thought the scoring drive that Kyle led us on was good. I thought he made good decisions. He delivered a good ball for the most part. Unfortunately, the next time we got another drive going he got knocked out of the game. But, again, it’s what we’re looking for. He managed it well. We’ll see how things go if he’s healthy and ready to roll Wednesday and see how it goes this week.”

• According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Allen’s left arm is still sore from the hit that knocked him out of the game last week but he’s still expected to start next week against the Giants if healthy.