NFL Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Panthers, Rams

Cowboys

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders if this could be the last season for Dez Bryant as a member of the Cowboys.
• Florio points out that Dallas will have a hard time justifying a $12.5 million salary and a $16.5 million salary cap number for Bryant in 2018 based on his production this year.
• According to Florio, the real question with Bryant will be whether he’s willing to accept a reduced offer from the team for 2018 and beyond or if he’ll refuse to rework his deal and instead risk testing the open market.

Giants

Former Giants OC Kevin Gilbride told Pro Football Talk on Thursday that he doesn’t think the situation between New York and QB Eli Manning can be repaired and it’s most likely that Manning will be playing elsewhere in 2018.

“It is hard for me looking in from the outside seeing that happen just knowing the guy,” Gilbride said. “I know he comes across and people look at him like he’s an ‘aww, shucks’ country boy, Huckleberry Finn-kind of guy, but I can assure you that beneath that facade lies the personality of a warrior. He’s going to compete and fight and do everything he can to play at the very highest level and represent himself at the very best and so that’s an investment of tremendous personal sacrifice and time and all that goes into being ready to play the game at the NFL level.

“So to do that, you’re a prideful guy — and he is — and so his pride has been attacked. I’m sure anything can be repaired but, boy, it would be very very difficult. . . . I don’t see it happening.”

Everyone including Gilbride continues to point to the Jaguars as the team to watch for Manning.

“I’m sure Tom [Coughlin] would love to have Eli there,” Gilbride said. “What you saw was genuine in terms of expression of emotion when Tom was let go. There’s genuine respect, genuine affection. At the end of the day, it’ll come down to it’s still a business and they’re going to do what’s best for the organization with Jacksonville, and Eli’s going to do what’s best for him. You look at it [and] you say, ‘It just seems like it’s a perfect scenario for them.’”

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera tells Tom Pelissero that TE Greg Olsen (foot) visited Dr. Robert Anderson this week and was assured that he just needs to keep progressing and work through the soreness in his foot.
• According to Pelissero, Olsen was experiencing soreness on Thursday, which is why the team didn’t have him practice.

Rams

• Rams HC Sean McVay was asked when WR Robert Woods (shoulder) could return: “I think a more realistic target would be the Seattle game. So a couple weeks from now is probably what’s the most realistic.” (Adam Schefter)
• The Los Angeles Rams have ruled out OLB Connor Barwin (forearm) and WR Robert Woods (shoulder) for Week 13.
• The Rams also have RB Malcolm Brown (knee) and RB Lance Dunbar (knee) both down as being questionable.