NFC Notes: Dak Prescott, Cowboys, Giants

Dak Prescott

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has had no infections from the surgery on the compound fracture in his right leg up to this point.

“So far, so good,” a source tells Schefter.

The concern for Prescott was that he could develop an infection after undergoing surgery Sunday night. However, it appears as though they’ve avoided the worst up to this point.

Schefter adds that souces expect Prescott to need four to six months of rehab.

Cowboys

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott praised DE Randy Gregory‘s performance in Thursday’s practice and said he was “really tough to block.” 

“It was really tough to block him,” said Elliott, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I’m excited to get Randy back. He’s got those fresh legs and he looks better than I’ve ever seen him.”

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy added that Gregory “showed up” in the pass rushing segment of practice. 

“It was great to get Randy into team reps in the pass-rush segments,” McCarthy said. “We have a pass under pressure drill that he definitely showed up in.”

Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith mentioned that Gregory brought “immediate electricity” to the defense. 

“Immediate electricity,” Smith said. “That’s who Randy is. He’s an electrifying player. He makes big plays. He gets off the ball. He’s going to be Randy. So, just thankful for him, to see him. My first year here, my rookie year, just rehabbing and training, we worked together every single day: me, him and Charles Tapper, Darren McFadden. So, just brings back so many memories when you talk about grind and grit. He’s been through a lot, but he’s a guy that’s never going to quit, and he’s the reason why I got my first touchdown in the National Football League. So, looking to add to that.”

• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero notes Cowboys QB Andy Dalton has $4 million in incentives in reach now that he’s the starter. 
• Dalton can make $1 million for playing 50 percent of the snaps if the Cowboys make the playoffs. He can also make $500,000 for taking more than half the snaps in a wildcard win, another $500,000 for doing the same in the divisional round, $750,000 in the conference championship and $1.25 million in the Super Bowl.

Giants

Giants HC Joe Judge told reporters after Sunday’s game that the decision to bench rookie LT Andrew Thomas was due to a violation of team policy. 

“This was not performance based at all. Andrew violated team policy. There was nothing malicious in what he did, but he made a mistake,” Judge said, per Ralph Vacchiano. “He didn’t do anything disrespectful, malicious or disobedient. But he made a mistake.”

Thomas issued the following statement:

“I was late for our meeting last night. Coach Judge always talks about actions have consequences, and I take responsibility for my actions and the consequences. It won’t happen again. I was late for our meeting last night. Coach Judge always talks about actions have consequences, and I take responsibility for my actions and the consequences. It won’t happen again.”