Ray Rice and his supporters are reportedly lobbying NFL teams to give the veteran running back a shot to make a roster this preseason, and the Cowboys are the team most often linked to free agent backs, but Dallas has no interest in signing Rice, a source tells Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter links). According to Williams, the Cowboys want to see how their current running backs look — the team hasn’t ruled out adding a veteran, but it likely won’t happen for a couple weeks, if it happens at all.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- As expected, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson will report to camp rather than holding out, despite the fact that he has yet to sign a contract extension, reports Brian Costello of the New York Post. According to Costello, the two sides remain “far apart” on a new deal, though I’d expect negotiations to continue in the coming weeks.
- Although there have been whispers that an announcement on Tom Brady‘s suspension appeal could come within the next day or two, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says the NFL and NFLPA are still exchanging offers for a potential settlement (link via Kevin Patra of NFL.com). However, with the Patriots quarterback seemingly unwilling to accept a deal that includes any sort of suspension, a compromise remains unlikely. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com echoes Rapoport’s report, tweeting that the NFL and NFLPA aren’t expected to reach a settlement for Brady.
- Rapoport (Twitter link) suggests keeping an eye on free agent defensive tackle Barry Cofield, who is recovering from groin and abdomen surgeries and should be ready to go in four to six weeks. Cofield, who was released by Washington earlier this year, said last week in an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he was “doing really well” in his recovery and was looking forward to signing with a team.