Ezekiel Elliott led the Dallas Cowboys in the backfield for seven years, averaging 1,180 yards and 9.7 touchdowns a season on the ground. The veteran running back has seen his numbers decline in 2024 as a result of both a changed carry allocation and a general issue with the offense’s run game. In his second tenure with the team, the touches have looked very different. Regarding the distinction from the locker room on Thursday, Elliott said that although he and the coaches have talked about his desire to be more involved in the run game, he is still focused on doing all he can to support the team, even if it means taking on a new role. Despite Elliott’s neutral remarks, others took exception at his lack of utilisation. Owner Jerry Jones was subsequently questioned on Elliott’s remarks made on Friday during his appearance on 105.3 The Fan, particularly the assertion made by some that the running back was “dumbfounded” by his usage.
Jones argued, “That’s an exaggeration.” “To be dumbfounded is to exaggerate and misrepresent something. It’s a poor reflection of his feelings on the situation. He knows exactly what portion of the running game he is playing. Above everything, though, and I can’t stress this enough, we are saving him, and we ought to be. Rico [Dowdle] is a fantastic running back, which is why we want him, but what has been his main issue? All throughout his career, he has struggled with injuries. Therefore, depending solely on him to finish the season and advance to the postseason would be insane.
“Zeke is there, he will be there, because we want to protect him during this particular time, as much as anything.”
Elliott has gained 98 yards and a score in Week 1 on 30 attempts thus far this season, averaging just six totes and 19.6 yards per game. While Elliott was Elliott’s backup in Dallas from 2020 to 2022, Dowdle has been given more snaps overall and has already racked up 54 rushes for 221 yards, more than doubling Elliott’s yards per game. As Jones said, he does have a history of ailments, but so far he hasn’t missed any games.
There’s talent galore in Dallas, with former Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook also waiting in the wings from the practice squad, but there aren’t enough carries to go around.
Jones acknowledged that the team has struggled as a whole, with the Cowboys ranking 31st in the league in rushing yards per game, averaging just 82 yards per game with a team average of 3.5 yards per carry. He said there is no “bright line” when it comes to decisions about how much each player receives the ball. Jones knows that his team needs a strong run game if they are to have the kind of success they want in the closing stages and playoffs, regardless of whether it means altered tote allocations or just a general need to get better. You’re going to witness an offence that’s likely the talk of the NFL when we have a successful running game,” Jones stated. “You have to run the ball because that is the barometer. That’s as typical as needing to switch on the lights when playing a game at night. Running the ball and being successful in the running game are essential. The Detroit Lions, the Cowboys’ Week 6 opponent, rank No. 4 in the league in run defence, so they have an excellent defence against the run. The road ahead won’t get much easier, though. On Sunday, the Cowboys and Lions play their first game in Dallas at 4:25 p.m. ET.
