Jones: Garrett will coach Cowboys
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said coach Jason Garrett will return for an eighth full season after Dallas missed the playoffs in a year marred by the six-game suspension of star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Jones said on his radio show yesterday that Garrett’s job “is not an issue here at all” while suggesting there could be changes to the coaching staff with several contracts expiring. Garrett has two seasons left on a five-year deal signed after Dallas won the NFC East in 2014. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli signed extensions last offseason, so they are not among those with expiring contracts.
The Cowboys (8-7), who finish the season Sunday at division champion Philadelphia, lost their first three games without Elliott before winning three straight to stay in the race. Dallas lost a playoff elimination game to Seattle last weekend in the return of last year’s NFL rushing leader.
Garrett has made the playoffs twice in seven seasons. He is 6755 including the postseason and half the 2010 season, when he took the reins after Wade Phillips was fired . ...
Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said a report that he and the franchise have agreed to part ways after this season is untrue, labeling it “fake news.” An article in Pro Football Weekly cited “multiple sources” as saying the split would come next week at the end of Arians’ fifth season as the team’s head coach.
Arians can become the winningest coach in Cardinals history with his 50th victory at Seattle on Sunday. He is 49-32-1 in five seasons with the Cardinals. They are 7-8 this season.
Rams lose linebacker
Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Matt Longacre is done for the season because of a back injury. Longacre is third on the team with 51⁄2 sacks and was thriving as a pass rush specialist. An undrafted free agent from Northwest Missouri State in his third season, the outside linebacker had 23 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 14 games . . . .
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey said he’s not ruling DeMarco Murray out of their regular-season finale against Jacksonville despite an injured right knee that has the running back day-today. Mularkey said an MRI confirmed what trainers expected after Murray hurt his knee late in a 25-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Mularkey said he hopes for a limited role for Murray in a game the Titans must win to have a chance for the postseason . . . .
The Buffalo Bills placed receiver Andre Holmes and running back Travaris Cadet on seasonending injured reserve in a series of roster moves made before their season finale at Miami. Buffalo also released defensive tackle Deandre Coleman. Cadet broke his right ankle in a 37-16 loss to the Patriots. Holmes missed the game because of a neck injury.
Buffalo (8-7) is in playoff contention but needs to beat Miami and get help from other teams to end a 17-year playoff drought . . . .
The Minnesota Vikings signed long snapper Jeff Overbaugh and placed guard Nick Easton (broken ankle) on injured reserve. Overbaugh was signed to fill in for Kevin McDermott, who injured his shoulder on Saturday night at Green Bay . . . .
The Green Bay Packers will have another new starting right tackle for their season finale at Detroit after Jason Spriggs was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Utility offensive lineman Justin McCray moved over from right guard to replace Spriggs. Also, receiver Jake Kumerow was signed to the practice squad. He spent time on the Patriots practice squad.
’Skins stick with Cousins
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said quarterback Kirk Cousins will start Sunday’s season finale at the New York Giants despite the potential of an injury and no postseason ramifications involved.
Whether Cousins plays for the Redskins in 2018 and beyond is one of the NFL’s major offseason questions. He played the past two seasons on the franchise tag. The Redskins could go that route again unless the sides agree on a long-term contract or the team allows Cousins to test free agency.
Cousins needs 65 yards against New York to reach 4,000 for a third consecutive season . . . .
The Denver Broncos will start Paxton Lynch at quarterback in their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Vance Joseph said it doesn’t matter if Lynch is facing backups, he wants to get another look at the team’s 2016 first-round draft pick who has only started three games and just one this season.