Is Ezekiel Elliott playing tonight? Latest updates for Cowboys RB

On November 19, 2024By Littum

It’s really not that surprising that the Dallas Cowboys are what they are. They let a ton of talent walk out of the building in the offseason and only used the NFL Draft to rebuild the roster. Injuries have obviously taken a toll, but the running back discourse has taken on a life of its own.

The continued use of Ezekiel Elliott has been a point of contention, and it reached a boiling point in last week’s loss to the Eagles.

Benched in Week 9 after missing another team meeting, Elliott was rewarded by receiving a 1st-and-goal pass to cap a drive dominated by Rico Dowdle. Elliott fumbled into the end zone after an Eagles recovery and a touchback.

Micah Parsons erased the turnover with a sack of Jalen Hurts, but Cowboys fans hoped the fumble would be Elliott’s last touch in a Dallas uniform. Well, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Elliott is playing Monday night against the Houston Texans.

While Elliott was not on the injury report, many wondered if he would be a healthy scratch. Cowboys finally announced this week that Dowdle is their lead running back.

There are no more RB picks in Dallas. Rico Dowdle is the Cowboys leading back, per @RapSheet

“My focus is to continue to give him opportunities. He’s the lead back.”

– Mike McCarthy pic.twitter.com/LSnbVLQGeh

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) 14 November 2024

What that means for Elliott’s workload will be revealed Monday night, but it likely means Mike McCarthy will ride Dowdle for about 15-20 touches. Dowdle has rushed for 128 yards at 5.3 yards per carry. carry over the last two games. He has only had 24 carries. It is not enough.

READ MORE: New angle of blown Ezekiel Elliott run proves Cowboys should cut him

Since training camp, Cowboys fans have been screaming from the hilltop that Rico Dowdle is the best running back on the roster. A restricted free agent in 2024, Dowdle was brought back on a one-year deal, and his performances this season have warranted an extension.

Dowdle is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. carry on the season and his 55.4% rushing success rate ranks eighth among running backs.

Any hope that Elliott would be benched or cut ended on the Cowboys’ next offensive snap after his fumble against the Eagles.

The team called an inside pass to Zeke in the red zone. For some reason — likely his relationship with ownership and the front office — Elliott is not held to the same standard as the rest of the roster in terms of accountability.

It’s sad that it took Dallas nine games to officially promote Dowdle. Any touch on Elliott receivers from this point forward is a waste of time.

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