Ezekiel Elliott 'Dumbfounded' By His Role With The Cowboys
Yesterday at 05:36 PM
After one year with the New England Patriots, running back Ezekiel Elliott reunited with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.
At 29 years old and in his ninth NFL season, no one was expecting Elliott to be the same runner he was when he led the league in rushing twice in his first three years with Dallas. Still, it's reasonable to think many people, Elliott included, thought he'd be utilized more than he has thus far. Through five games, Elliott has just 30 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown to go with six catches for 36 yards.
The Cowboys haven't even consistently used Elliott in goal line and short-yardage situations, preferring Rico Dowdle. It's an issue Clarence Hill Jr. of All Dlls examined in a new article on Thursday.
Elliott, Hill said, is just as confused about his role, or lack thereof, as many outsiders are.
"Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott confirmed he has talked to the coaches about his role and remains dumbfounded by his lack of opportunities at least as red zone back," Hill tweeted.
After playing 51% of the offensive snaps for Dallas in Week 1, Elliott was on the field for 40% in Week 2 and just 19% in Week 3. He saw 18% of the snaps in Week 4 before an uptick to 30% in Week 5 last Sunday night.
Dowdle led the Cowboys in rushing in Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, gaining 87 yards on 20 carries. Dallas has now gone 19 games without posting a 100-yard rusher, the longest stretch in franchise history.
"It's a long season," owner Jerry Jones said when asked about Elliott's role this week. "It's a long season. And so judiciously managing snaps of veteran players is a big part of the whole show."
The Cowboys are set to host the Detroit Lions this Sunday.
Related: ESPN Computer Predicts Winner Of Sunday's Cowboys vs. Lions Game
