Cowboys Notes: Elliott, Garrett, Lawrence
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett says he has stayed in contact with Ezekiel Elliott during his holdout (Twitter link via Jon Machota of The Athletic). He went on to say that the conversations have been “all very positive,” though there’s still no word on when Elliott will show up for work.
Publicly, both sides are attempting to paint a fairly rosy picture of what’s taking place. Last week, a story likely leaked from Elliott’s camp indicated that he is in shape and ready to go for the upcoming season, despite his absence from practice. Meanwhile, Garrett was quick to tell reporters that he is on good terms with his star running back.
While we wait for movement on the Elliott front, here’s more from Dallas:
- The Cowboys are set to activate defensive linemen DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford from the PUP list, a source tells ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (on Twitter). Lawrence had shoulder surgery soon after signing his five-year, $101MM contract in April and has been out of action for the last few months. Crawford, meanwhile, is working through a hip issue that kept him out of the offseason program. Unfortunately, safety Byron Jones (hip) and receiver Noah Brown (knee) remain on PUP.
- This week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged that a new deal for Dak Prescott would put him in the top tier of compensation for NFL quarterbacks.
Broncos QB Drew Lock To Miss Time
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has been diagnosed with a fairly serious sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. On the plus side, there will be no surgery required. On the down side, Lock will have to miss some time as he recuperates. Ryan O’Halloran, citing Dr. Steven Shin, the director of hand surgery at Cedars-Sinai Kerlans-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, estimates that Lock will need five to six weeks to recover before he can start throwing again (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: Mike Shanahan On Broncos’ Interest, Coaching Plans]
Before the injury, the expectation was that Lock would open the regular season as Joe Flacco‘s primary backup. Now, there will likely be a competition between third-stringers Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien for the No. 2 QB spot. Hogan served as Case Keenum‘s backup last year, after Chad Kelly‘s departure, so he could have the upper hand. Indeed, Mike Klis of 9News.com suggests that Hogan will be the QB2 until Lock is ready to return, and that the team could ultimately try to sneak Rypien onto the practice squad.
A Kansas City, Mo., native, Lock concluded his Mizzou career with 99 touchdown passes — including 44 as a junior — and 12,193 yards. Flacco’s early work dissuaded the Broncos from using a first-round pick on a quarterback, but when Lock was still on the board in Round 2, the team decided to pull the trigger.
Chiefs Re-Sign De’Anthony Thomas
The Chiefs have signed wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas, according to a press release. In a related move, the Chiefs waived fellow wideout Davon Grayson. 
Thomas spent the last five years with the Chiefs, but his 2018 season was brought to a screeching halt after he broke his leg. Then, in January, an arrest for marijuana possession hurt his free agency stock. Before all of that, Thomas saw time both as a returner and receiver for KC.
On Tuesday morning, the Chiefs facilitated another reunion by signing guard Jeff Allen.
Cardinals’ Hakeem Butler Done For Year?
The Cardinals could be down a wide receiver this season. Fourth-round pick Hakeem Butler is a candidate for injured reserve after suffering an avulsion fracture in his hand, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Butler has missed the last two practices with the injury and the initial word is that he would be out for the remainder of the preseason. After further testing, it now appears that his season is in jeopardy.
The Cardinals invested a good deal in their WR group by drafting Andy Isabella in the second round, KeeSean Johnson in the sixth round, and Butler in the fourth. Assuming those two rooks make the cut, the Cardinals could be set with a top five including them plus Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and Kevin White. Other notables such as Damiere Byrd and Pharoh Cooper are also pushing to make the 53-man roster.
Lions Sign Jordan Lasley
The Lions have signed free agent wide receiver Jordan Lasley, according to a press release. To make room, they’ve released running back Justin Stockton.
[RELATED: Jordan Lasley Launches Football Into Pond; Gets Released By Ravens]
It’s yet another NFL stop for Lasley, who has been on three teams in the last three weeks. He was a fifth-round pick of the Ravens in 2018, but was waived earlier this summer. On August 1, he was claimed by the Raiders, then waived on Aug. 18. Now he’s with the Lions, where he’ll push to make the final cut at the last minute.
The Lions recently met with fellow wide receiver Dontrelle Inman, but he’s likely out of their plans now. On Tuesday, Inman moved on to meet with the Jets.
Jets To Meet With Dontrelle Inman
Dontrelle Inman‘s free agency tour continues. The wide receiver will meet with the Jets on Tuesday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 
Inman was cut by the Patriots earlier this month after requesting his release. He met with the Lions soon after, but the club opted to sign Jordan Lasley instead.
The Jets are pretty well set at the top of their WR depth chart with Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, and Jamison Crowder occupying the top spots, but there’s room for improvement beyond that. Currently, Deontay Burnett, Greg Dortch, Josh Bellamy, and Deonte Thompson are among the names vying for the last two – or maybe three – places on the roster.
After joining the Colts in the middle of the 2018 season, Inman hauled in 28 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns. His best season, which featured 810 yards and four TDs, came with the 2016 Chargers.
Chiefs Sign Jeff Allen
Marcus Kemp‘s season ended before it could even start. The Chiefs wide receiver is done for the year after suffering ACL and MCL tears, according to Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star. To take his place on the roster, the club signed guard Jeff Allen to a one-year deal. 
Kemp was in the midst of a strong preseason and had a real shot at making the 53-man roster as a wide receiver. The former UDFA out of Hawaii appeared in all 16 games last season, plus two playoff contests, and notched his first NFL catch. Unfortunately, he’ll be sidelined after a low hit from Steelers safety Sean Davis in preseason action.
Allen, meanwhile, is on board for his third stint with Kansas City. He has 66 career starts to his credit, including four last season.
Chargers’ Derwin James To Miss Time
Chargers safety Derwin James is scheduled to undergo foot surgery on Thursday, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). During the procedure, doctors will remove the screw that was inserted in James’ foot during his freshman year at Florida State and was bent last week. The recovery timetable will keep James out for at least the first half of the season, as he’ll need 3-4 months to bounce back. 
It’s a tough break for the Chargers as they’ll be without one of their most important defensive players for a good while. James started all 16 games for the Chargers last season after the team drafted him in the first round out of Florida State. He was a strong candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie Of The Year award last season, notching 105 tackles while adding 3.5 sacks. Big things are still expected of him, but the Bolts will have to wait until November or December to see James make his impact.
James does a little bit of everything for the Chargers, including covering burly tight ends one-on-one and even chipping in at linebacker. In the interim, the Chargers may turn to Jaylen Watkins, Adrian Phillips, Adarius Pickett, or rookie safety Nasir Adderley to try and fill-in for the All-Pro safety.
Colts Sign Charcandrick West
Colts placed new running back D’Onta Foreman and wide receiver Daurice Fountain on injured reserve while waiving safety Derrick Kindred, according to a team announcement. To take their spots, the Colts added veteran running back Charcandrick West, safety Kai Nacua, undrafted free agent tailback Marquis Young. 
The nature of Foreman’s injury is not yet known, but it’s a rough break for the former Texans RB as he was looking to reassert himself while getting revenge on his former team twice this season. The 236-pound back took only seven handoffs last season, gaining minus-1 yard. But, as Lamar Miller‘s top backup in 2017, Foreman amassed 327 rushing yards (4.2 per tote) and two touchdowns.
West has been toggled on and off of the Chiefs’ roster as of late and posted negative rushing yards in 2018. However, he’s flashed promise, including the 2015 season in which he ran for 634 yards.
Lions To Meet With Dontrelle Inman
Former Patriots wide receiver Dontrelle Inman might not be out of work for long. The veteran will visit the Lions “in the next day or so,” Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.
The Lions are never shy to explore the open market for help and Inman could provide valuable help for their WR group. The Lions project to trot out Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and new pickup Danny Amendola as their top three receivers, but Inman could conceivably squeeze in as one of the club’s five or six WRs to start the season.
Despite arriving in Indianapolis midseason, Inman recorded 28 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns. His best season, which featured 810 yards and four TDs, came with the 2016 Chargers. While teams have not viewed him as more than a stopgap, Inman nevertheless profiles as someone who could be an intriguing depth target for a club like the Lions.