NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Per USA Today’s Jori Epstein, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said QB Andy Dalton would remain the starter when he clears the concussion and COVID-19 protocols, but Garrett Gilbert was impressive against the Steelers: “I thought he had a hell of a day. Gave us every opportunity to win.”
• No matter how the rest of the season goes, Jones stated that Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy “unequivocally” would keep his job in 2021. (Jon Machota) 
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has avoided any infection or complications in his recovery from a dislocated ankle so far, per Jones: “He’s ahead of schedule.” (Michael Gehlken)
• While Dallas will possibly have a very high pick in the coming 2021 draft, Jones ruled out taking a cheaper quarterback to replace Prescott: “Dak’s our quarterback. We’re so fired up about him and him leading us into the future.” (Machota)
• Jones said Cowboys fourth-round C Tyler Biadasz would miss two or three weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered pregame: “It’s just one of those tough things for him. …It’s going to be two or three weeks for him at a minimum before we get him back.” (Gehlken)

Giants

Giants HC Joe Judge‘s disciplinary measures during training camp caused a stir when he had players like QB Daniel Jones run laps for mistakes on plays. But it seems like players have actually taken well to the standard Judge holds all of them to. This past week, WR Golden Tate was essentially sat out of one practice and the win against Washington after taking his frustrations with his role public. While Judge actually is a big fan of Tate and what he brings to the team, it’s important to him that all players are treated the same. 

“To me, it’s got to be independent of who the person is or what the experience level is,” Judge said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “It’s got to be focused on what the standard is. And to me, it’s critically important that there’s consequences to what you do. There are consequences for either not playing productively or practicing with the right effort and attitude. And then there’s consequences for off-the-field. To me, I just wasn’t going to condone some of the stuff that’s been going on by acting like it didn’t happen. So it was an opportunity to send a message.

“But I would say this: He responded the right way. Came into practice, practiced two days this week. And he had two great practices. I told him, ‘That’s what I expect to see. I expect to see that guy.’”

• Giants HC Joe Judge said he expects WR Golden Tate to be active for them next week as long as nothing changes before then. (Ryan Dunleavy)

Washington

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Washington QB Kyle Allen is expected to undergo surgery for a dislocated ankle and small fracture. Allen later confirmed the news on his social media. 
• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Allen is looking at a four-month recovery and should be ready to return in 2021. 
• The team will turn to veteran QB Alex Smith as the starter instead of 2019 first-round QB Dwayne Haskins, as HC Ron Rivera believes Haskins can still benefit more by sitting: “I think Dwayne is going to truly see how to prepare as a starter. … And who knows, he may get his opportunity again.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Rivera admitted the team does not know if the franchise quarterback is on the roster right now: “That’s the question we have to answer as coaches. Is our franchise quarterback on the roster?” (Ben Standig)
• Washington is still waiting to see Haskins put it all together, per Rivera: “We’re hoping to see a guy that has a talented arm, that’s a good pocket passer … but does he put it all together … and become a more astute player and student of this game…His arm talent is legit. Now let’s see him put it all together.” (Jhabvala)