NFL Notes: Bills, Cowboys, Eagles & Patriots

Bills

Bills HC Rex Ryan mentioned that it’s possible they could get newly acquired WR Justin Hunter involved in their offense this week as a red zone target.

“It’s a possibility we’ll see him this Sunday,” said Ryan, via BuffaloBills.com. “I hope he can help us because I’d like to get that big body out there, that kind of size and speed that he has. I think that can really help us, particularly in the red zone.

Cowboys

• Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn’t rule out WR Dez Bryant playing in their Week 5 game. (Charean Williams)
• Jones also mentioned that second-round LB Jaylon Smith is in great shape in regards to his rehab but needs the nerve to “wake up.” Jones added that he isn’t ruling Smith out this year.  (Charean Williams)

Eagles

• Eagles RT Lane Johnson’s appeal of a 10-game suspension for violating the PED policy will be heard Tuesday morning in New York, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Patriots

Patriots QB Tom Brady said was “great to be back” after he returned to the team after serving his four-game suspension.

“It was great to be back in the building. It was certainly great to be back to work,” Brady said during an interview on Westwood One, via ESPN.com. “It’s been a long four weeks for me, but I’m excited to get started on my preparation for Cleveland. I’m anxious for the week ahead. I want to get back out on the practice field. This is what I love to do, and now I have an opportunity to do it.”

Brady said that he doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself and instead plans to take it one day at a time.

“I’m going to take it day to day. I haven’t played in four weeks,” Brady said. “My teammates have been working their butts off, and that’s what they expect of me. I’ll take the days as they come. I’ll certainly need the practices to try to get on the [same] page as all the guys who have been practicing the last four weeks. But I’m really looking forward to it.”

Brady was asked about the NFLPA’s decision to no longer pursue legal options against the NFL over Deflategate

“I’m not really looking to reflect at this point. I put that in the rearview mirror when I decided a while ago [to not appeal],” Brady said. “I’m looking forward to playing and doing what I love to do and being out there with my teammates, who have done such a great job. And I want to do a great job for them.

“I’m just focused on the present, focused on this week, and that’s what I’m going to be all season. It’s certainly all in the past, and hopefully it serves me well this week.“