Cowboys trade for Bennett
The Cowboys have made a trade to try to upgrade their roster during the open week for the second straight year, although this move isn’t quite as bold.
The Cowboys acquired defensive lineman Michael Bennett from the Patriots for a conditional late-round draft pick in 2021, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
The open week for the Cowboys (4-3) was after seven games last year as well, when they sent their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Raiders for receiver Amari Cooper. The Cowboys’ new No. 1 target has proven to be a big boost for quarterback Dak Prescott’s offense.
Bennett had just returned to the Patriots after serving a one-game suspension for what he said was a “philosophical disagreement” with defensive line coach Bret Bielema.
Bennett is familiar with Cowboys secondary coach and passing game coordinator Kris Richard. They were together for five seasons with the Seahawks.
The 33-year-old Bennett is also familiar with Texas and the Cowboys. He played high school football in the Houston area before going to Texas A&M. His younger brother, tight end Martellus Bennett, was a secondround pick by the Cowboys in 2008 and spent his first four seasons with the team.
Michael Bennett should give the Cowboys the position flexibility they desire under defensive coordinator and line coach Rod Marinelli. The move is also a nod to the loss of Tyrone Crawford, who tried to play through a hip injury but needed surgery and is out for the season.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Bennett had his best season in 2015 with the Seahawks, when he had a career-high 10 sacks. He’s had nine sacks twice, most recently last year in his only season with the Eagles, one of the Cowboys NFC East rivals.
Bennett had 21⁄2 sacks in six games with the Patriots. He has 651⁄2 sacks for his career.
The Cowboys next play at the Giants on Monday, Nov. 4.
Gates stays quiet: Adam Gase is keeping the focus of his team on the field, not the escalating feud off it.
The Jets coach opted Thursday to not address the standoff between the team and guard Kelechi Osemele, who’s having surgery on his right shoulder Friday — whether or not the team approves it.
“You have to ask those guys,” Gase said, referring to GM Joe Douglas and the Jets’ front office. “I haven’t been involved in this. My job is to coach the team.”
Osemele says he needs surgery now on his torn labrum and can’t play through the pain, while the Jets think the guard can hold off and remain on the field, based on medical reports.
The Jets have been fining Osemele for sitting out practice, which he did again Thursday, saying it is “conduct detrimental to the team.” Osemele and his representatives have filed a grievance against the Jets. The team had not yet approved Osemele having the surgery.
The NFL Players Association released a statement Thursday saying it supports Osemele and is “considering all options to protect” him. The NFLPA also says it’s “not appropriate or ethical” for an employer to dictate any employee’s medical needs or treatment.
Jags’ Dareus out 4-6 weeks: Jaguars defensive tackle Marcell Dareus underwent core muscle surgery Thursday and will miss four to six weeks.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday that Dareus was in Philadelphia to receive treatment from sports hernia specialist Dr. William Meyers. Dareus was injured during the Jaguars’ victory over the Bengals last weekend.
Dareus has 13 tackles (one for loss) and a half sack in six games this season. He missed the season opener with an elbow injury.
Dareus isn’t the first Jaguars player to be treated by Meyers. Receiver Allen Hurns, tight end Austin SeferianJenkins, running back Toby Gerhart and receiver Dede Westbrook also had the surgery. Westbrook missed nine games his rookie season after his surgery.