NFL Notes: 49ers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Patriots, & Redskins

49ers

49ers ILB Navorro Bowman mentioned that his surgically repaired knee still isn’t completely healed, even though he’s participating in OTA workouts.

“The knee will get to where it needs to be, maybe not as fast as you guys expect,” Bowman said, via CSN Bay Area. “… It hasn’t been consistent. I go out there some days and I feel great and some days I have to fight through it. That’s part of the process. I understand that. But mentally, it messes with me sometimes.”

Buccaneers

Buccaneers HC Lovie Smith mentioned that second-year WR Mike Evans suffered a tweaked hamstring during OTAs.

“He tweaked his hamstring a little bit also,” Smith said, via Pewter Report. “In the offseason, every day I’m going to talk a little bit about a little tweak and that’s all it is.”

Cowboys

Cowboys HC Jason Garrett mentioned that CB Morris Claiborne is making “good progress” in his return from surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee.

“Just know that he’s made some really good progress and he’s worked very hard at that,” Garrett said, via the Dallas Morning News. “When you’re a coach and you’re a player and you see a guy work as hard as someone does to come back from adversity, that can be inspirational to you. And he’s certainly in that category.

“The ability to look at adversity, accept the challenge, embrace the challenge. That’s important. That’s a big part of mental toughness, and certainly Mo’s demonstrated that in his work up to this point. He got some good work in [Tuesday] in the walk-through format and we anticipate using him the same way over the next few weeks.”

Patriots

• The Patriots have been splitting OTA reps 50-50 between Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo in recent days.
• Mike Reiss mentions that Patriots DE Chandler Jones is still recovering from his hip surgery.

Redskins

• Redskins OLB Ryan Kerrigan told reporters Friday that there’s no update contract negotiations between the two parties. (Tarik El-Bashir)