The Dallas Cowboys' red-hot start has overshadowed some of the long-term concerns for the team, including the contract status of superstar receiver Dez Bryant. Bryant is playing out the final year of the deal he signed after Dallas selected him 24th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Negotiations with Bryant took place during the offseason but were ultimately tabled when the season began so they wouldn't become a distraction.
Dez Bryant changes agents, DeAngelo Williams to return soon
Meanwhile, a lot of players will miss time after suffering injuries in Week 8.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps those negotiations could open again soon, as Bryant has reportedly split with agent Eugene Parker per Fox Sports. There’s no word on who will represent the receiver moving forward, but the NFLPA requires a grace period after a representation change in hopes of stemming client stealing between agents.
Whomever Bryant chooses as his next agent will have to have a thought-out approach to the receiver’s next deal. Bryant makes a little over $3 million for 2014. Given how important he is to the Cowboys’ offense -- he leads the team in receptions and receiving yards -- this could have a tremendous impact on Dallas’ future.
DeAngelo Williams nearing return
Few position groups have been hit as hard this season as the Carolina Panthers' running backs. Over the first half of 2014, the Panthers lost DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker for extended periods of time. While Stewart and Whittaker have returned, the others have remained on the sidelines.
That's about to change, however. Williams is expected to play Thursday during a divisional showdown with the New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Though he's played in only two games this season, Williams is second among Carolina running backs in rushing yards with 106 and leads the group in yards per carry at 4.2. His return will put less pressure on the still hurt Jonathan Stewart and rookie Darrin Reaves in what looks to be a very important game for the NFC South.
Too many Week 8 injuries
There's no shortage of injury news arising out of the Week 8 slate of games. The headliner is New York Giants linebacker Jon Beason, who will reportedly undergo surgery on his right foot and miss the remainder of the season. Beason has a history of season-ending injuries, tearing his Achilles in 2011 just months after signing a long-term deal with the Panthers.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Rams endured multiple hits along their offensive line. Left tackle Jake Long reportedly re-tore the ACL that cost him much of the 2013 season. Joining him on the sidelines is right guard Rodger Saffold, who suffered a shoulder injury during the Rams' loss to Kansas City on Sunday. The affected shoulder is the same one that caused Saffold to fail his physical with the Oakland Raiders this summer, voiding his contract in the process. Unlike Long, Saffold's injury may not be a season-ender.
Another team grappling with multiple losses from this weekend is the Chicago Bears. Starting left guard Matt Slauson went down with a torn right pectoral muscle and defensive end Lamarr Houston ruptured his ACL after a sack celebration and will miss the rest of the season. Chicago has had trouble protecting quarterback Jay Cutler and getting to opposing passers, making these injuries particularly hard to swallow.
Finally, the Arizona Cardinals' secondary has two members going through the league's concussion protocol per Darren Urban of the team's official website: safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Patrick Peterson, who was apparently in good spirits and jumping on teammates after Sunday's game.
Another cornerback, Jimmy Smith of the Ravens, is out with a foot sprain, via Schefter.
Chargers move on from Richard Marshall
Cornerback Richard Marshall went from the penthouse to the outhouse Monday, when the San Diego Chargers released the nine-year veteran after he started for the team Thursday. Normally a reserve, Marshall stepped up in place of Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett, both of whom missed the game with injuries. He struggled, though, against the Denver Broncos' high-octane offense.
The team moved quickly to replace Marshall, signing cornerback Richard Crawford to the roster, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Crawford spent two seasons in Washington before missing that team's final cut in 2014.
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