NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys’ executive VP Stephen Jones doesn’t believe that QB Dak Prescott‘s ankle injury doesn’t impact his status as the franchise quarterback.

“Absolutely not,” Jones said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “He’s our future. He’s special. If anyone can overcome anything, it would be Dak. This is something that our doctors feel good that he’ll overcome and come back better than ever.”

Cowboys’ HC Mike McCarthy says that Prescott is an integral part of the team and is currently doing well recovering from his surgery.

“He’s in very good spirits; I know he’s excited to get home and start the journey back, as you would expect from Dak. But he’s — he’s doing okay,” McCarthy said. “He’s our heartbeat. Just to lose him, just really just kills you in terms of deep down. For him, you hurt for everything that he stands for and I think we’re still in shock. But certainly, Dak is such a warrior. He’s been through a lot. He’s always overcome it and this is going to be no exception. He’s going to get in there and do what he needs to do, I’m sure. Obviously, everybody’s prayers are with him. He should be able to do everything you need to do to rehab and come back ready to go. It’s just a very difficult setback for him and for us. It’s something that we feel great about him totally overcoming and be ready to go next year.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes the Cowboys will tag Prescott again for $37.7 million, meaning he will make $69.1 million over a two year period. Breer adds he thinks Prescott will then get a large, nine-figure contract during free agency in 2022 at the age of 28.
• Cowboys’ OC Kellen Moore on RB Ezekiel Elliott in the wake of Prescott’s injury: “I think we still need to play the same way. We still need to attack people, be aggressive. If people give us an opportunity downfield, we’re going for it.” (Gehlken)
• Cowboys’ DC Mike Nolan addressed the season-ending injury sustained by DT Trysten Hill: “It’s very unfortunate. He was trying to brace himself so he didn’t land on the quarterback. In the process, he injured himself. He works really hard.” (Gehlken)
• As for LB Leighton Vander Esch, Nolan says he will make his return against either the Cardinals or Washington: “When he does come back, obviously, we’ll be excited.” (Gehlken)
• Nolan spoke about LB Randy Gregory, who is able to play in Week 7: “The work has been good. He’s a little bit heavier than he was before. He’s a very athletic individual. We’ll certainly be able to use him when he becomes available for us.” (Jon Machota)

Eagles

• The Athletic’s Bo Wulf believes there’s more of a chance Eagles WR Travis Fulgham, who has been impressive the past two weeks for Philadelphia after a journeyman start to his career, locks up a starting job in 2021 next to first-round rookie Jalen Reagor than ends up off the team. 
• He also writes the injury to starting RT Lane Johnson could allow the Eagles to develop their depleted depth on the offensive line, with guys like Jordan Mailata, Nate Herbig, Matt Pryor and fourth-round rookie Jack Driscoll being pressed into the lineup. 
• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo says Johnson’s second opinion indicated he doesn’t need surgery and it’s just a matter of resting or fighting through his ankle injury. 
• Eagles DC Jim Schwartz defended the team’s allocation of minimal resources into the linebacker position, which has been a problem spot in 2020, saying they extended Nigel Bradham and drafted two rookies this year. (Jeff McLane)
• When it was pointed out Bradham’s deal was two years ago and neither of the rookies are playing, Schwartz responded that he doesn’t make personnel decisions.

Washington

• Per NBC Sports’ JP Finlay, Washington HC Ron Rivera wouldn’t rule out the team being active at the trade deadline: “And you never know – somebody may call you about a guy and say, ‘hey, what do you think?’ If it’s somebody you like, somebody that fits what you’re trying to do in terms of a rebuild, which is where we’re at, then you most certainly have to look at that possibility.”
• Reports have indicated QB Dwayne Haskins is a strong candidate to be traded after being demoted to third-string. Rivera didn’t rule out that possibility while saying the expectation is Haskins continues to work and develop to be ready for any potential opportunity: “As we continue to get into this and we get further down the road, who knows what’s going to happen? But, that’s what the expectation is. It’s no different from the expectation of any other player, and that’s to be in the meetings, learning, studying, being at practice, learning and studying, participating.”