NFC East

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. indicated to Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons he needs another five weeks to recover from his torn ACL.

Parsons made the revelation Wednesday when speaking to reporters about Beckham's visit.

"Obviously he knows we want him, but really just wanted to make him feel at home," he said. "There’s only so much you can say… This ain’t college, like you’re saying you’re gonna get the best education. I’m pretty sure he knows what we got here."

Beckham underwent surgery in February shortly after the Los Angeles Rams' 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

In October, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported two NFL team executives thought mid-December might be when the three-time Pro Bowler could play again. That forecast might have been optimistic.

Ed Werder of ESPN reported Tuesday a source in Dallas believes signing Beckham possibly "would have no benefit until the 2023 season." NFL Network's Jane Slater followed up Wednesday by saying the Cowboys haven't yet made a formal offer because his status is in such flux.

#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could surprise us all but getting the sense the #Cowboys are walking away from this one due to concerns about his ability to play this season. I’ll explain. pic.twitter.com/8rqygL5rFA

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 7, 2022

The team has five games left in the regular season, so OBJ's personal five-week timeline would basically mean he wouldn't make his Cowboys debut until the playoffs.

At that point, you'd have to question how much the 30-year-old would help. He will have gone roughly 11 months without playing, and he'd be trying to shake off the rust in the middle of the postseason. Even expecting Beckham to occupy the secondary role he had behind Cooper Kupp in Los Angeles may be unrealistic.

Regardless of whether it's the Cowboys or another team, signing Beckham to a multiyear contract now would allow everybody to head into 2023 on the same page. But it's looking increasingly likely fans won't see him make his return this year.

The Dallas Cowboys reportedly declined to offer Odell Beckham Jr. a contract because of concerns about the status of his surgically repaired left knee.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported the Cowboys have "serious concerns" about whether Beckham can play this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI.

“We're still working on it," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said about Beckham on Wednesday.

The Cowboys signed Michael Gallup to a five-year contract extension in March even though he was coming off an ACL tear, but the team was more comfortable with Gallup's status because his surgery was performed by team doctor Dan Cooper, per Slater.

The Buffalo Bills and New York Giants are also expected to be contenders for Beckham's services. It's unclear whether they have the same level of concern regarding his health.

With Beckham's ACL tear coming just 10 months ago, it's healthy to have skepticism regarding his playing status this season. The team that signs him is more likely to be making an investment for the 2023 campaign than this year.

The most logical scenario would see Beckham sign a two-year deal structured so his cap hit is team-friendly next season. Front-loading the deal would allow him to create a financial windfall for himself while the expectations are low this season and give his new team some comfort in 2023 if things don't work out as planned.

It's fair to wonder whether Beckham's name value is larger than his ability to contribute, though. He's a 30-year-old who has not made a Pro Bowl since 2016 and is coming off ACL tears in consecutive seasons. When attempting to bounce back from his first ACL tear, he recorded just 44 receptions for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.

In his last fully healthy campaign (2019), he finished 26th in the NFL in receiving yards. Even a healthy version of Beckham isn't guaranteed to be a contributor, so the Cowboys' hesitance makes sense.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown insisted he wasn't trolling former Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, even though it wasn't a stretch to make that connection.

Brown, who scored two touchdowns in Sunday's win over his former team, tweeted a link to a shirt on his website and captioned it "Swole Batman AKA The Terminator."

The terminator part drew attention since the Titans announced Tuesday that they fired Robinson shortly after the loss to Brown's Eagles. However, the wide receiver explained he was not making fun of the situation and provided more context:

"I will never kick another man while he’s down," Brown said in a now-deleted tweet. "The shirts was made few days ago. My eye has been red for two weeks now. That’s not who I am."

The Titans' firing of Robinson was something of a surprise. He just signed a contract extension in February, and Tennessee is in first place in the AFC South at 7-5.

Considering the 4-8-1 Indianapolis Colts are in second place in the division, it is basically a foregone conclusion that the Titans will host a home playoff game.

Albert Breer of The MMQB reported some people inside the building with the Titans were "floored" by the decision, although NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted the team's "brass wasn't happy with the direction of the roster" and "decided to make a change."

There were hits and misses throughout Robinson's tenure, which is often the case for general managers. However, the timing of the firing was impossible to ignore given how dominant Brown was during Sunday's win. He had eight catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns even though the Eagles pulled their starters early in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee traded Brown this offseason for the Nos. 18 and 101 overall picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

"I just didn't appreciate how it all went down, and they just kind of blamed me for it," Brown told Pelissero in August (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com). "I'm man enough to say that, however people may take it. But I have no bad blood with Tennessee. I'm moving forward."

It seems as if Brown has had the last laugh since the Eagles are 11-1 and he has 61 catches for 950 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. But he made it clear he wasn't the one doing the laughing at Robinson on Tuesday.

Philadelphia Eagles veteran edge-rusher Robert Quinn is heading to injured reserve and will undergo a knee scope this week, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Quinn reportedly twisted his knee during practice last week and now is set to miss a minimum of four games.

It's a tough point in the schedule to lose Quinn, with matchups against the New York Giants (twice), Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints remaining this season. Those three NFC East showdowns in particular will be important as the Eagles (11-1) look to claim a division crown and the top overall seed in the playoffs.

It's also another blow to the team's pass-rushing depth after Derek Barnett was lost for the season in Week 1 due to an ACL tear.

Quinn, 32, was traded for midseason to help alleviate that loss, though in five games with the Eagles he's only managed two tackles, two quarterback hits and no sacks. He also had just one sack in seven games with the Chicago Bears this season.

He hasn't resembled the player who had 18.5 sacks in 2021.

The Eagles should still be able to generate a pass rush without him, with players like Haason Reddick (nine sacks), Javon Hargrave (eight sacks), Josh Sweat (6.5 sacks), Brandon Graham (5.5 sacks) and Fletcher Cox (five sacks) all healthy. But they do get thin at defensive end pretty quickly after Sweat and Graham, with Reddick playing more of a hybrid role.

That could mean a free-agent pickup at the position, though at this point of the season the pickings may be slim.

The defense in general has had to battle through injuries this season, with rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis returning this past week after a stint on the sidelines and defensive backs Avonte Maddox and C.J. Gardner-Johnson currently injured.

That hasn't slowed the defense down, however, a unit holding opponents to just 296.4 yards per game, second in the NFL. The Eagles are also eighth in points allowed per game (18.8), first in takeaways (23) and second in sacks (42).

Much of the praise surrounding the Eagles has been about a dangerous offense, led by star quarterback Jalen Hurts. But the defense is balling out too, and the loss of Quinn—while not ideal—isn't going to slow that unit down.

Even if Odell Beckham Jr. signs with a new team within the next few days, it could still be some time before the free-agent wide receiver is back on the field.

The Dallas Morning News' David Moore reported Tuesday that Beckham's rehab from a torn ACL may "extend into the postseason." Moore added that if the Dallas Cowboys ultimately sign the 30-year-old, "it will be with the understanding that the veteran receiver is unlikely to play before the regular season is done."

ESPN's Ed Werder and Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News echoed Moore's reporting:

Source: The #Cowboys have concerns after Odell Beckham Jr.’s physical that his recovery from torn left ACL in Super Bowl has not progressed enough to ensure he would play before mid-January and possibility exists signing him would have no benefit until 2023 season.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) December 6, 2022

A person with knowledge of the OBJ talks said there was a low expectation he would workout but when he didn’t it just confirmed to the club he’s not ready to play.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) December 6, 2022

Fresh off visiting with Beckham on Monday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan's Shan & RJ the team was well aware of the risk presented by the move. He explained the inability to see the three-time Pro Bowler work out left him "not confident, at all," but clarified Dallas has enough information to feel good about a possible partnership:

It's not like a draft pick coming at you, we've got a lot of history here and you take a good look at everything. Not only the obvious, and that's his performance, but also any issues regarding health. So, all of this, we've got to come in with our eyes wide open and it has to be addressed and that’s when you see if you can make a deal or not.

Beckham's free agency has certainly garnered plenty of attention, but Moore's report underlines how he may not tilt the balance of power in the NFL this year.

Even if he's back in time for the playoffs, it's fair to question how effective he'll be. Beyond having to learn a new playbook on the fly, there's always a level of rust when a player has missed nearly a full year of action.

A final decision for Beckham could be imminent. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday the unsigned pass-catcher planned to speak with his family and might pick a team by mid-week.

Fans of whatever team wins the OBJ sweepstakes are likely to celebrate, but it could be 2023 before he starts paying meaningful dividends.

The Dallas Cowboys had a productive meeting with free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the eyes of team owner Jerry Jones.

"We had pretty extensive meetings," he said of Monday's visit on 105.3 The Fan's Shan & RJ (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). "We spent quite a bit of time together. I enjoyed every minute of it. We'll get back together today and see where we go from here. A lot of variables. It has to fit for both parties."

Jones expressed concern that the Cowboys haven't seen Beckham work out in person and said he was "not confident, at all" in signing the three-time Pro Bowler without some sort of workout. He hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL during the Super Bowl in February.

Still, Jones said the Cowboys have "got a good beat" on the torn ACL and what it might mean and are well aware of Beckham's playing resume. He contrasted the situation with the uncertainty teams often have with incoming rookies:

"It's not like a draft pick coming at you, we've got a lot of history here and you take a good look at everything. Not only the obvious, and that's his performance, but also any issues regarding health. So, all of this, we've got to come in with our eyes wide open and it has to be addressed and that's when you see if you can make a deal or not."

On Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Beckham had visited with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills before his trip to Dallas. Rapoport reported the Cowboys were "considered to be the favorite" but that the star wideout may not make a decision until the middle of the week.

Nobody knows what Jones and the team's representatives included in their pitch to Beckham, but they might have only needed to point to the last three weeks.

Dallas made an emphatic statement with a 40-3 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 20 before taking down the Giants on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys followed that with a win over the Indianapolis Colts in which they scored 33 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

At 9-3, Mike McCarthy's squad may not have the NFL's best record, but it is one of the strongest in the league. Among the reported finalists, the Cowboys might give Beckham his best shot at winning a second Super Bowl title.

Dallas Cowboys fans hoping for their team to sign Odell Beckham Jr. might not have to wait much longer.

Tim MacMahon of ESPN asked the wide receiver how likely it is that the Cowboys will sign him, and he responded by saying, "It's a good possibility."

The comment came after Beckham visited the team Monday.

Dallas isn't the only team interested in landing the LSU product. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that OBJ also met with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills and planned on making a decision by the middle of this week ahead of the stretch run.

While Beckham played for the Giants during the first five seasons of his career, the Bills and Cowboys stand out.

If he signed with Buffalo, he could catch passes from Josh Allen and take advantage of the spacing that comes with playing alongside Stefon Diggs. The same could be said about Dallas with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.

There was a time when Beckham was a No. 1 wide receiver, as he recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six seasons.

However, his health is a question mark after he suffered a torn ACL while helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals. An NFC executive said there is "considerable doubt" about whether Beckham is healthy and can play effectively, per Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.

"And that's a problem because Beckham has informed teams he's seeking a multiyear contract that he hopes will end up being worth $20 million per year," Vacchiano wrote.

Yet the Cowboys have made no secret about their desire to add him to an offense that already has Prescott, Lamb, Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown.

A number of players have said they want him on the team, and the version of Beckham who scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl and posted nine catches and 113 receiving yards in the NFC Championship Game last season could be quite the difference-maker.

It appears as if there is a solid chance Beckham will go for a second straight ring while wearing a Cowboys uniform.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed after Sunday's 54-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts that star running back Ezekiel Elliott didn't start because of a disciplinary reason.

Jones added that the issue was nothing major.

Jerry Jones said Ezekiel Elliott didn’t start tonight because of a disciplinary reason

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 5, 2022

Jerry Jones said Zeke Elliott not starting tonight was related to some sort of disciplinary matter during the week — not a major deal, he said it was like a phone going off in a meeting or something of that nature.

— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) December 5, 2022

Even though Elliott didn't start, he rushed for 77 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, in addition to catching three passes for 14 yards.

Elliott's touchdown also followed with a pretty awesome celebration:

Couldn't let another touchdown go by without a #RedKettle celly! 😂#ProBowlVote + @EzekielElliott#ProBowlVote + @dak

📺: @SNFonNBC | #INDvsDAL | @SalvationArmyUS pic.twitter.com/yDba1Sb4iN

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 5, 2022

Elliott entered Sunday's game having rushed for 577 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games, in addition to catching eight passes for 40 yards. He and Tony Pollard form one of the best running back duos in the NFL.

The Cowboys improved to 9-3 on the season with the win. They will be back in action on Dec. 11 against the Houston Texas.

It took a few quarters, but the Dallas Cowboys reaffirmed their title credentials with a 54-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at home at AT&T Stadium.

The final score isn't reflective of how the game unfolded yet somehow accurately encapsulated the gulf between the two opponents.

Dallas led by just two points heading into the fourth quarter, but the complexion of the game changed in a matter of minutes. Dak Prescott hit Michael Gallup for their second touchdown connection of the night at the 13:52 mark, and Malik Hooker returned a fumble for a touchdown on the very next play from scrimmage to put his team ahead 34-19.

The SCOOP and SCORE! Touchdown #DallasCowboys. #INDvsDAL on NBC and @peacock. pic.twitter.com/fQGDQo9IF2

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 5, 2022

Cowboys fans have encountered plenty of false dawns since the franchise's last Super Bowl title in 1996. A game like this, however, makes you think this year could be different.

Dallas sleepwalked through three quarters, yet it only took a few possessions for Mike McCarthy's squad to hit the gas and leave the Colts in its dust. Good teams manage to find a way to win when they aren't at their best, and the great ones flip a switch like the Cowboys did.

Dallas is scary good

— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) December 5, 2022

The Cowboys are well on their way to 9-3. With the Texans and Jaguars next on the schedule, they almost certainly will be 11-3 when they get their rematch with the Eagles in Dallas on Christmas Eve. And by then, they might have Tyron Smith back in the lineup.

Take notice, NFC.

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) December 5, 2022

Exactly.

Even on an off day the Cowboys can destroy a lot of NFL teams. That is wild. https://t.co/9azY4SS9WX

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) December 5, 2022

Cowboys defense is good. Beware NFC. Jimmy G injury a game changer.

— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) December 5, 2022

The Cowboys played with their food for 2.5 quarters, and still will end up hanging a 40-burger on Indianapolis to win by three scores.

— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) December 5, 2022

The Cowboys have eight games with 40 or more points since the start of last season, two more than any other team in that span. The Chiefs have six. It’s their third game with 40 this season, tied for their fourth most in a single-season in team history.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) December 5, 2022

It was 21-19 Dallas. It’s now 47-19. This feels like a college game ending between a super strong team and a bottom dweller.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 5, 2022

Should the Cowboys be starting Cooper Rush?

Ahhh good times.

— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) December 5, 2022

Cowboys scoring ANOTHER TD on the Colts 😅 pic.twitter.com/80QBuNXdZq

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 5, 2022

When the dust cleared in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys had forced four turnovers and dropped 33 unanswered points.

Prescott finished 20-of-30 for 170 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. CeeDee Lamb (five receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown) was the team's leading receiver, while Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combined for 168 yards and three scores on the ground.

The Cowboys play the Houston Texans in Week 14. Houston owns the NFL's worst record (1-10-1) and is coming off a 27-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns in which it allowed two defensive touchdowns and gained 283 yards.

What's the record for the biggest opening spread in NFL history? The Cowboys versus the Texans might approach that mark.

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made a pledge to his son as he inches closer toward his return to the NFL.

The three-time Pro Bowler tweeted Sunday he "WILL return to greatness" and wrote to his son, Zydn, "I gotta have u see this."

I WILL return to greatness … Zydn, I promise u son. I promise u. I gotta have u see this . I love u Z

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) December 5, 2022

Beckham is in the middle of his free agency tour. He met with representatives from the New York Giants on Thursday before visiting with the Buffalo Bills. On Monday, he'll see officials from the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday the Cowboys are "considered to be the favorite" but that he won't make any decisions Monday. Instead, the 30-year-old will weigh all of the options with his family and could come to a ruling "by the middle of this week," per Rapoport.