NFL Notes: Bucs, Cowboys, Giants, Panthers, Saints, Seahawks

Buccaneers

• RB Charles Sims (ankle) is eligible to return in Week 9, but has yet to resume practicing. (Pat Yasinskas)

Cowboys

• Todd Archer believes the odds of WR Dez Bryant playing the 2015 season under the franchise tag are better than him receiving a new long-term contract.
• Archer writes that the Cowboys may have to go over budget a bit to keep RB DeMarco Murray, but doesn’t expect them to break the budget to retain him.
• Rookie DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot) has resumed practicing and is expected to be back in time for their Week 9 match up against the Cardinals. (Todd Archer)

Giants

• RB Rashad Jennings (knee) mentioned that he’s targeting Week 9’s game against the Colts as his return date. (Mitch Abramson)

Panthers

• David Newton doesn’t believe the Panthers should trade for a cornerback before the upcoming deadline.
• Newton expects WR Kelvin Benjamin to play against the Packers, but mentions that only one Panthers’ player has been cleared to play the same week he went into concussion protocol since 2011.

Saints

• The Saints could use TE Jimmy Graham practicing in the red zone during Sunday’s game and sit him in other situations. (Larry Holder)

Seahawks

• Seahawks second-round pick WR Paul Richardson and fourth-round pick WR Kevin Norwood should see more playing time following the Percy Harvin trade. (Adam Schefter)