Running back Ezekiel Elliott seems to be wondering why the Dallas Cowboys reunited with him if they’re not planning on using him.
On Thursday, Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports shared Elliott has discussed his role with Dallas’ coaching staff, and he “remains dumbfounded” about his lack of touches in the red zone.
Elliott started in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, rushing for 40 yards on 10 carries in a 33-17 win. Since then, his role has diminished. Over the past four games, he hasn’t had more than six carries.
Dallas may be reducing Elliott’s role to make way for RB Rico Dowdle. In a 20-17 Week 5 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), he rushed for a season-high 87 yards on 20 carries and caught one touchdown.
While Dowdle deserves more opportunities, should that come at Elliott’s expense? Plus, it doesn’t sound like Elliott is asking to be an RB1 but a red-zone back. He has thrived in this role in the past.
Per ESPN, in 15 regular-season games in 2022, he had 35 carries for 97 yards and 12 TDs when he was in the red zone. The Cowboys converted 40 of 56 red-zone attempts (71.4 percent), first in the NFL.
This season, he only has three carries for four yards and one TD in the red zone. Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys (3-2) have converted 6-of-13 red-zone attempts (46.2 percent), which is 22nd in the league.
Elliott — a nine-year veteran — is also less likely to make costly mistakes than Dowdle.
“On a 2nd-and-goal in the final moments of the game [against Pittsburgh], Dowdle made the mistake of not following the blocking scheme, which likely would have led to a certain touchdown to the outside behind pulling guard Zack Martin,” wrote Hill Thursday. “He inexplicably cut back to the middle and jumped in the air where he met Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, resulting in a fumble.”
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott recovered the fumble and threw a TD to wide receiver Jalen Tolbert two plays later. If Prescott didn’t jump on the ball, Dallas probably would’ve lost the game.
It’s a long season,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said of bypassing Elliott in critical goal-line situations, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “It’s a long season. And so judiciously managing snaps of veteran players is a big part of the whole show.”
Still, the Cowboys should consider giving the three-time Pro Bowler more touches. He can still be a valuable contributor and give their offense more punch.
