NFC Notes: Cowboys, Boone, Okung, Vikes

The Cowboys were in need of pass-rushing help even before the NFL handed a four-game suspension to edge rusher Randy Gregory on Friday. Now, with Gregory out for the first quarter of next season and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence having undergone back surgery earlier this year, the Cowboys might be more inclined to re-sign Greg Hardy, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Hardy had a respectable six sacks in 12 games last season, but he was a headache off the field, and sources close to the 27-year-old told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report in January that Dallas was unlikely to bring him back. The Cowboys’ present circumstances could change that, however.

Here’s more from the NFC:

• The 49ers will discuss a new contract with Alex Boone‘s agents at next week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis, but chances are they won’t get a deal done before free agency opens March 9, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Boone has played his entire career with the 49ers since they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2009, netting 59 starts – all of which came during the previous four years.
• There was a late-January report stating Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung, a pending free agent, would undergo surgery on his dislocated left shoulder. Okung confirmed to 710 ESPN Seattle on Thursday that the surgery is complete and he’ll face a four-month recovery period, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. “It was something that I didn’t have to do, but decided to do just to mitigate any risks going forward,” the 28-year-old said.
• Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said earlier this week that next season would be pivotal in showing whether Cordarrelle Patterson is capable of being a viable NFL receiver going forward. Patterson agrees, telling Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, “If it don’t show this year it ain’t going to show at all. That’s all I can say about that.” The 2013 first-round pick pulled in a combined 78 receptions in his first two years, but he was barely involved in the Vikings’ offense last season and added just two catches.