Ezekiel Elliott is not experiencing any complications after testing positive for COVID-19 (via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News). Assuming Elliott stays healthy and largely symptom-free, that should bode well for the Cowboys‘ star running back in the long haul.
Earlier this week, Elliott was one of four players (two from the Cowboys, two from the Texans) to test positive for the coronavirus. Other players are being tested as a precaution, but no additional positive cases have emerged from either club. Furthermore, quarterback Dak Prescott did not test positive, despite hosting a widely-criticized birthday party earlier this year.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- Eagles head coach Doug Pederson admits that he missed out on his top running back target. “We had the opportunity to possibly grab a player and he slipped through our fingers,” Pederson told WIP (via NJ.com). The Birds were connected to a few veteran RBs this summer, including Carlos Hyde, LeSean McCoy, and Devonta Freeman. Of that group, only Hyde has been signed (by the Seahawks) so Hyde is presumably the player he’s referencing. Freeman still seems to be on their radar, though teams have been warded off by his asking price. They’re open to Shady, too, but, at last check, they have not made him an offer.
- Meanwhile, the Eagles are working with the playmakers they already have in-house, including rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor. They’re planning to groom the former TCU speedster in the mold of fellow deep threat DeSean Jackson, as Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com writes. “He’s going to come in and he’s going to learn one position and he is going to learn from DeSean Jackson, and learn everything he can,” Pederson said. “Obviously the playbook is extensive and we just have to see what he’s taken from the offseason to training camp, and then once we see his potential and his growth, then we can use him in multiple spots.”
- Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan only has one year to go on his deal, but he’s hoping to stay for the duration of his career – however long that might be.
- In case you missed it, Sam Robinson reflected on the retirement of Giants quarterback Phil Simms, which played out much differently than Eli Manning‘s sendoff.
Is it possible that Zeke got covid from wrestling so much with Jimmy Junior?
He’s gone to too many parties.
Kerrigan unfortunately is not likely to get his wish. I questioned the decision for Washington, with a loaded front seven chalk full of early round talent, to use their number two pick on their only area of strength with so many holes.
Okudah was an equivalent prospect who would have filled an obvious need, but with so many teams clamoring to move up, and so many needs, Washington certainly would have gotten multiple top picks for moving down. A quick overview of recent trades to move up in the first round-especially the top ten, let alone top five-always net several high picks, always including future first rounders as well (Falcons for Jones, Redskins for Griffin, Bears for Trubisky, etc). In a draft as deep as this, especially at WR (a definite area of need for Washington), the Redskins would have addressed many needs and netted future picks to allow Rivera to build his team better.
Now, however, they will be forced to relegate Kerrigan, Sweat, or their number two overall pick to rotational pass rush duties, which would be wasteful of someone’s talents-even if it would be a truly potent combination. They will likely instead unload Kerrigan for a day two or three pick, much less than the haul they would have gotten for the second overall pick, and still in the situation of having a great front seven with numerous other holes on the team.