NFL Notes: Cowboys, Panthers, Saints, Vikings

Cowboys

• Todd Archer of ESPN does not think Cowboys DE David Irving will start immediately after returning from suspension.

Panthers

An NFL executive believes the Panthers could try to get WR Kelvin Benjamin more involved now that TE Greg Olsen will miss an extended period of time.

“It’s big,” the executive told Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. “They’ve got speed now at running back (with Christian McCaffrey), but at receiver, they’ve got big guys. He gives them someone to stretch the field in the middle and an easy outlet for Cam (Newton). I know [Olsen]’s older (32), but you have to be aware of him when you’re playing them.”

Saints

An NFL executive explained to Tom Pelissero that the Saints’ defensive struggles are due to the simple fact that they’re about halfway through a full rebuild.

“Cameron Jordan‘s really the only guy that can rush, and he’s a power guy,” said the executive. “Their D-line’s average, at best. Secondary’s young. Linebackers just average — I like (rookie Alex) Anzalone, but then they’ve got Manti Te’o and (A.J.) Klein. It’s a total rebuild on defense, and I would say they’re halfway there.”

Vikings

• Tom Pelissero reports that no doctors have suggested that Vikings QB Sam Bradford has structural issues in his knee and there hasn’t been a setback.
• The Vikings wound up ruling him out for Week 3 after his knee just did not improve in practice this week.
• All parties involved are just hoping for some clarity regarding Bradford’s status moving forward.