Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott Nearing Deal
It’s happening – we think. The Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott are nearing agreement on a deal that would allow the running back to suit up for Week 1, Mike Florio of PFT hears. 
Word has it that this would be a six-year, $90MM extension. That deal would tie Elliott to the Cowboys for an unfathomable eight years, since he has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Of course, as with any NFL deal, it wouldn’t be a true eight-year deal. The guarantees, cash flow, and structure will dictate how long the Cowboys are truly committed to their star running back.
If all goes well, the Cowboys will have Elliott in action against the Giants on Sunday.
Jaguars Drop Terrelle Pryor
The Jaguars and wide receiver Terrelle Pryor have reached an injury settlement for his minor hamstring ailment, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport hears that Pryor, who is clear to sign with any club as a free agent, is now healthy.
It’s a familiar spot for Pryor, who has bounced around a bit since his breakout season with the Browns. In the last few years, he’s had stints with the Redskins, Jets, and Bills that have ended in similar fashion. Pryor signs, gets hurt, then gets released with an aim on staying healthy and rekindling his former magic elsewhere.
Speaking of the Jaguars – they were one of four teams to place a claim on running back Wendell Smallwood. Ultimately, Smallwood was snagged by the Redskins.
Chargers, Mike Pouncey Agree To Extension
The Chargers are signing center Mike Pouncey to a one-year, $9MM extension that ties him to the team through the 2020 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Pouncey, one of the best centers in the game, was originally set to reach free agency after the 2019 campaign. 
The Bolts picked up Pouncey in March of 2018 with a two-year, $15MM deal that included $10MM fully guaranteed. Pouncey earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod last year and the deal proved to be a brilliant one for LA. This time around, Pouncey gets a pay bump, but it’s still a worthwhile investment for GM Tom Telesco & Co.
Even though the club worked something out with their center, they’re still refusing to talk with star Melvin Gordon about a possible extension.
In other Bolts news – the club was forced to place safety Derwin James on injured reserve over the weekend. Fortunately, James is expected to recover in time to return in the middle of the season.
49ers To Meet With Jordan Mills
The 49ers will meet with Jordan Mills on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mills started every game last year for the Bills and could offer support following the loss of swing tackle Shon Coleman.
Mills, a free agent acquisition, was a minicamp disappointment for the Dolphins this year and lost his right tackle gig to Jesse Davis. The Dolphins gave him a shot at redemption in training camp, but he was unable to regain his footing.
In other Niners offensive line news, the club, at long last, cut ties with Joshua Garnett. Garnett worked out for the Seahawks on Monday, so they could potentially see him twice this year.
Cowboys, La’el Collins Agree To Deal
The Cowboys and La’el Collins have reached agreement on a brand new five-year extension, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The new deal will keep Collins under control through the 2024 season. 
It’s a five-year, $50MM add-on that includes $35MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. That gives Collins the highest guarantee of any right tackle in the NFL. Collins was set to make $8.5MM this year so it’s a six-year, $58.5MM deal in total.
The new deal has been a long time coming, with strong interest on both sides.
“I would love to stay in Dallas my entire career,” Collins said recently. “I love the Cowboys, I love Mr. (Jerry) Jones; I love the Jones family. I love everything about the whole organization and what they’ve done for me as a person and as a player. For me, it’s just all about going out there and taking it one day at a time, and proving myself, proving my worth, showing them that I want to be there by what I do and now what I say.”
Collins ranked as the No. 31 tackle in the NFL last year, per Pro Football Focus, and has looked the part of a top-tier protector at times. Still in his mid-20s, the sky is the limit for the powerful lineman.
The Cowboys have long boasted one of the league’s best offensive lines and they’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that things will stay that way. Not only is Collins inked through 2024 – they’ve also got left tackle Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick through 2023 and guard Zack Martin through the 2024 campaign.
The Cowboys’ O-Line has helped turn quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott into superstars. Now, after addressing Collins’ deal, it remains to be seen how they’ll handle new contracts for Prescott, Elliott, and the reborn Amari Cooper.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/19
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB Brynden Trawick
- Placed on IR: CB Iman Marshall
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: G John Jerry
- Placed on IR: G O’Shea Dugas
Detroit Lions
- Waived/Injured: WR Andy Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Released: LB James Crawford
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: S Rolan Milligan
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Coleman Shelton
- Placed on IR: OLB Justin Lawler
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Albert McClellan
- Placed on IR: OL Brent Qvale
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Josh Mauro, LB Kyle Wilber
- Placed on IR: Isaiah Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Nick Bellore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed: RB T.J. Logan (from Cardinals) Waived: DL Pat O’Connor
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DT Treyvon Hester
- Claimed: LB Tanner Vallejo (from Cardinals)
Ravens Drop RB Kenneth Dixon
Kenneth Dixon‘s time with the Ravens has come to an end. Due to a fractured knee, the Ravens have released the running back with an injury settlement, coach John Harbaugh says.
Dixon was placed on IR over the weekend to help the Ravens reach the 53-man max. However, he was long speculated to be a release candidate due to his ongoing health issues.
Its been a rocky road for Dixon, who entered the league as a fourth-round pick in 2016. He made a splash early on, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rookie, but lost his 2017 season to a torn meniscus. Before the surgery, Dixon was slapped with a four-game suspension for PEDs, which already hurt his standing in the organization.
Last year, Dixon was primed to serve as the Ravens’ leading rusher, but a knee injury midway through the season opener sent him to IR. When he was brought back in December, he showed serious promise in a limited sample. Dixon ran for 289 yards off of 47 carries, giving him a 5.5 yards per tote average on the year.
Without Dixon, the Ravens will forge ahead with Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and fourth-round rookie Justice Hill at running back.
Cowboys Cut Rolando McClain
The Cowboys will release linebacker Rolando McClain, as Calvin Watkins of Dallas Morning News tweets. McClain was recently granted conditional reinstatement into the NFL, but this move was expected due to McClain’s ongoing personal issues.
McClain, a talented former first-round pick of the Raiders, has battled off-the-field demons for years. The Cowboys gambled on him after the Raiders gave up on him and, for a period, that gamble paid off. After years away from the game, the juice is no longer worth the squeeze for the Cowboys. At least, not until he’s able to get back on the right track.
In 2014, the Cowboys acquired McClain via trade and used him in 13 games. He finished that season with 81 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. After that, he was hit with his first – but not last – NFL suspension. In 2015, he was limited to just eleven games, though he still tallied 80 tackles and a pair of sacks.
After signing another one-year deal with the Cowboys during the 2016 offseason, McClain was handed a ten-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He then failed another drug test midway through the season, and the NFL slapped him with an indefinite suspension. After his third ban in two years, McClain was cuffed on a 2017 arrest for firearm and drug charges.
We haven’t seen McClain on the field since the 2015 season and it remains to be seen whether the 30-year-old is in game shape.
Eagles, Cre’Von LeBlanc Agree To Extension
The Eagles and Cre’Von LeBlanc have agreed to a one-year extension, per a team announcement. LeBlanc is now locked in through the 2020 season.
The cornerback joined the Eagles off waivers from the Lions last year and quickly impressed. This year, he’s in the mix with fellow Philly CBs Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas. An even larger role could loom in 2020, if all goes well.
Last year, LeBlanc recorded 24 tackles across eight games (four starts). Previous to that, he saw time in 28 games for Chicago between 2016 and 2017 and three contests for the Lions in ’18.
Seahawks Release LB Austin Calitro
The unexpected cuts continue. On Monday, the Seahawks dropped linebacker Austin Calitro, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
In 2018, Cailtro appeared in all 16 games and made five starts at multiple positions. All in all, he recorded 45 tackles while also serving as a key special teamer.
None of that was enough for him to keep his roster spot. At least, not right now. As we’ve seen multiple times this week, the Seahawks could circle back to the ‘backer in short order.