Around the NFL: Dak Prescott says Dallas is ‘our team’ in wake of Tony Romo’s heartfelt speech

Dak Prescott says nothing has changed for him after Tony Romo’s heartfelt speech that conceded the Dallas Cowboys’ starting job to the rookie quarterback.

While Prescott frequently said Dallas was Romo’s team early in an eight-game winning streak that has tied a franchise season record, he isn’t calling it his team now.

The 23-year-old says Dallas is “our team.” Prescott will start Sunday against Baltimore, with Romo expected to be his backup for the first time.

Prescott said Wednesday his conversations with the Romo won’t change now that the 36-year-old has publicly thrown his support behind the fourth-round draft pick. Prescott told reporters Romo’s statement was “more for y’all than for me or for this team.”

Added Prescott: “We know each other, how we feel about the situation. He’s been a great leader, a great model for me to look up to and watch every day. So I’m not surprised.”

Browns lead contingent on Capitol Hill

The photo of Martin Luther King Jr. put things in perspective for Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins. Change can happen.

Hawkins and four other NFL players to meet with Congressional leaders in Washington to discuss ways of bridging the divide between police and minority communities. During the visit Tuesday, Hawkins, a longtime activist, was struck by an iconic image of King, the revered civil rights leader, hanging on a wall inside the Eisenhower Executive Building next to the White House.

“And it was the meeting that kind of prompted blacks being able to vote, which was a big deal,” Hawkins said Wednesday. “So to see that and just walking in those historic hallways and realizing all the history you’ve learned about, and you’re literally in the same space as them, it’s a surreal moment.”

Hawkins was part of a delegation of players headed by Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin. They visited Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers about what can be done to improve relations between law enforcement and African-Americans. The problem has plagued the nation for decades, inflamed by shootings in recent months that triggered protests and violence.

The group also included Browns quarterback Josh McCown, Lions safety Glover Quin and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, all selected by Boldin, who has been personally touched by the tragic death of a cousin killed by an off-duty police officer in Florida.

During their one-day visit, the players met with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and members of the congressional black caucus.

Etc.

Green Bay was awarded running back Christine Michael on waivers Wednesday. Michael joins a backfield with veteran James Starks, who returned last week after missing four games following knee surgery. Michael was released by the Seahawks on Tuesday despite being the team’s leading rusher with 469 yards (4.0 average) and six touchdowns. … Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams because of a dislocated left wrist. The Pro Bowler exited last Sunday’s win over the Chargers in the second quarter. He returned to the game in the third quarter and played while wearing a brace. … Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III has been cleared for non-contact drills but isn’t ready to practice. Griffin has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left shoulder in the opener against Philadelphia. … Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston could make his season debut this weekend against Tampa Bay. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that the four-time Pro Bowler is “heading in that direction,” but he also warned that there is no hurry to get Houston onto the field. Houston had surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee in February. ...

Tyrann Mathieu returned to practice for the Arizona Cardinals and said he was optimistic that he would be able to play when the team faces the Vikings in Minnesota. Coach Bruce Arians also confirmed after practice that wide receiver Jaron Brown has signed an extension that puts him under contract through next season. … The Minnesota Vikings have finalized their contract with kicker Kai Forbath, their replacement for Blair Walsh. Forbath kicked for New Orleans in 10 games last season after being let go by Washington after one game largely because the Redskins wanted to improve their kickoffs. Forbath made 87% of his field-goal attempts (60 for 69) in three-plus seasons for Washington, the second-best rate in team history, but he had only 18 touchbacks in 2014, which was the second fewest in the league. …

Bob Gain, an eight-time All-Pro defensive lineman with Cleveland who helped the Browns win three consecutive NFL titles, has died. He was 87. Gain’s 13-year NFL career featured one first team All-Pro selection, seven second-team mentions and five Pro Bowls. The Weirton, WVa., native was a two-time All-American at Kentucky, playing on both sides of the ball and kicking for legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant from 1947-50.