Contract issues still dogging Cowboys
Tuesday marked the 12th day of the training camp holdout of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott as well as a lack of movement on contract talks with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper.
Representatives for Elliott have told the Cowboys that the two-time league rushing champion will not play this season without a new contract, ESPN reported.
But it’s unlikely that Elliott’s holdout will continue into the regular season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly wants to get a new deal done before Week 1.
The Cowboys are hopeful and committed to getting deals done with all three players and have made generous offers with a little wiggle room to go higher to all three, the Forth Worth StarTelegram reported. They are held up because the negotiators for all three haven’t returned to the table.
The contracts offered so far reportedly would put each player in the top five at his position, according to sources.
That puts Prescott in the $30 million range and Cooper at about $17 million annually.
Elliott’s goal is to be the highest paid running back Yet, the Cowboys offer is more in line with Le’veon Bell of the Jets rather than the current highest-paid running back, Todd Gurley of the Rams.
Gurley averages $14.4 million per season. Bell’s deal averages $13.1 million.
Elliott is asking for more than $15 million annually.
Jags lose another LB: New Jaguars linebacker James Onwualu will miss the season after suffering a knee injury during Monday’s joint practice with the Ravens.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone didn’t specify the exact nature of Onwualu’s injury.
Onwualu, who was claimed off waivers April 30, was listed on the depth chart as a co-starter with Leon Jacobs at strongside linebacker.
Rookie Quincy Williams, one of the team’s two third-round draft picks, was diagnosed with meniscus damage in his right knee Thursday and will miss four to six weeks. Veteran Telvin Smith announced in May that we wouldn’t play this season because he wanted to focus on his family and his health.
Newton, Kuechly to sit: Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced that quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly will not play in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Bears in Chicago.
Rivera said he’s being extra cautious with both.
Newton is working his way back into form after offseason shoulder surgery, while Kuechly missed time last week after he got “rolled up on” during practice. There were no specifics on Kuechly’s injury.
Kyle Allen will get the start at quarterback, while Jermaine Carter will replace Kuechly.
Extra points: Cowboys DE Robert Quinn fractured his left hand during practice and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason . ... Jets WR Quincy Enunwa suffered a groin injury during practice . ... WR Jordy Nelson retired after 11 seasons. Nelson, 34, spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Packers. He played for the Raiders last season.