NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Washington

Cowboys

Cowboys veteran LB Jaylon Smith is progressing well in his rehab from a wrist injury sustained last season.

“Rehab is going well on the wrist,” Smith said, via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. “It’s just taking everything day by day. Obviously, we’re a month or two out from camp, so the Cowboys want to be smart with all of their guys on just making sure that we’re not doing anything unnecessary until needed. I’m feeling great. I’m in the best shape of my life. The wrist is running its course. It’s all a matter of time.”

Eagles

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye named the Bills, Cardinals, Panthers, Chargers, Jaguars, Chiefs and Colts as potential suitors for TE Zach Ertz.
• While the Eagles have been holding out hoping for a better return for Ertz, Kaye is doubtful they get more than a Day 3 pick, perhaps conditional, or a player. 
• All those teams have the cap space to acquire Ertz, except for the Chiefs, and Kaye thinks Ertz would rework his deal to chase a ring with Kansas City. 
• The Athletic’s Zach Berman points out the Eagles could bring Ertz back in 2021 given he’s still under contract but that disregards the human element of whether Ertz would be happy being forced back after being dangled on the market for months and without a new contract. 
• Eagles TE Dallas Goedert, who is entering the final year of his contract, said he’s hopeful to reach an agreement on a contract extension: “If I could get the contract extension I would love to be in Philly forever. Having the second contract is the ultimate goal. The sooner you can get to it I feel like is the better.” (Tim McManus)

Washington

• Washington G Brandon Scherff, who is entering the final year of his contract, said he’s “hopeful” to sign a long-term deal with the WFT but is letting his agent focus on the matter. (Ben Standig)
• Standig notes that Washington WR Curtis Samuel dealing with a “slight groin issue,” while second-year OL Saahdiq Charles is still being monitored off last season’s knee injury.
• Washington HC Ron Rivera mentioned that nothing is cause for alarm with Charles.
• Washington QB Taylor Heinicke said he’s gained 15 pounds of muscle this offseason. (John Keim)
• Heinicke said he’s been working on passing in the pocket and doesn’t think his added weight has negatively affected his mobility. (John Keim)
• Samuel said he expects to be an explosive player in Washington’s offense: “Make things happen and to be explosive.” (John Keim)
• Rivera is hoping to keep competition high around Washington’s minicamp, explaining that nothing is “set in stone” for every starting position: “Going forward, there’s nothing set in stone. A lot of these positions will be competitive. Every position has an opportunity to have a different player start for the most part. There are a couple that are pretty solid though. I’m not going to lie to you about that.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Washington RB Antonio Gibson said his toe injury has lingered into the start of the offseason program and is monitoring the issue going forward. (Sam Fortier)
• Gibson mentioned that he’s able to “make cuts” but is still rehabbing.