NFL Notes: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys, Cardinals, Jaguars

DeMarcus Ware

Veteran DE DeMarcus Ware says he was “one day away from coming back and signing with the Dallas Cowboys” this offseason, but it became clear that it was best for his body to call it a career.

“I was one day away from coming back and signing with the Dallas Cowboys,” Ware said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “But my body just told me it’s time. It’s time to stop playing. Still have the drive to get out there and the want to play, but you’ve got to think about family, think about what’s important and I just decided it’s time to hang up the cleats and put on a suit.”

For what it’s worth, Ware added that should the Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones give him a call during the season, he’ll answer the phone.

“If Jerry calls me, I’ll answer the phone,” Ware said. “I will answer the phone.”

Cardinals

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer admitted their offensive “changes drastically” without RB David Johnson in the lineup.

“It changes drastically,” Palmer said, via ESPN.com. “You lose, who I think, is one of the best football players in this league, things are obviously going to change.

“Well, Dave, I don’t know how many catches he had last year but there [are] a whole lot of catches there for somebody else. He had 2,000 yards of offense so somebody’s got to step up. We’re not going to run every single exact play that Dave ran, run routes because that was something very specific to Dave that he did really, really well. But the offense doesn’t completely change. You don’t run some of the same plays Dave ran but the things change when you lose a guy that produced 2,000 yards in one season.”

Although, Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said their offense won’t change “one iota.”

• According to Howard Balzer, the Cardinals worked out OTs Nick Becton and Vinston Painter on Wednesday.

Jaguars

• According to Mike Kaye of First Coast News, the Jaguars were without their top two cornerbacks — Jalen Ramsey (ankle) and A.J. Bouye (illness) — for the second straight practice Thursday.
• Should either be unable to go, Kaye expects Tyler Patmon to see a “significantly” increased role with others such as Aaron Colvin, Jalen Myrick, and Lafayette Pitts possibly being worked into the mix.
• Jaguars special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis told reporters that they are constantly keeping an eye out for available kickers and punters, but he doesn’t think there’s much in terms of quality options available right now. DeCamillis added that his focus remains on helping P Brad Nortman and K Jason Myers continue to improve.