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The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly expected to take a “conservative” approach with running back Ezekiel Elliott and his knee injury heading into Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Cowboys plan to evaluate Elliott in Sunday’s pregame warm-up game , and then decide whether he will play or not.
Werder added that the Cowboys may make a conservative decision out of “long-term considerations” about Elliott’s health.
Elliott missed the Cowboys’ Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears while Dallas played Week 9 bye. If Elliott doesn’t play Sunday, it will mark the first time in his NFL career that he has missed consecutive games because of an injury. And Elliott was one of the best and most explosive running backs in the NFL, But that has not been the case in recent years.
After Dallas selected him with the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Zeke was in his first four seasons Received 3 Pro Bowl nominations and an All-Pro first-team selection.
In three of those seasons, he rushed for at least 1,300 yards and two double-digit touchdowns Score.
Elliott has been much less efficient over the past three seasons, averaging 4.0 yards per push in 2020 A career low, followed by 4.2 yards last season and 4.1 yards so far this season.
Zeke totaled 12 touchdowns and 1,000 rushing yards last season, but in 17 games Only reached 1,002 yards. In seven games this season, Elliott has rushed for 443 yards, four touchdowns 109 times while also caught 6 passes for 32 yards.
Over the past two seasons in particular, fans and members of the media have called for the Cowboys to make more use of Tony Pollard in the backcourt , and possibly reduce Elliott’s role.
Despite not starting any games last season, Pollard combined for 1,056 yards and two touchdowns . He’s also one of the most efficient runners in the NFL, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Pollard improved even more in this season, rushing for 506 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging per carry Pack 6.2 yards to a career high. He’s also Dallas’ preferred receiving option in the backcourt, with 12 steals for 121 yards.
Elliott out against Chicago, Pollard stepped up and proved he’s capable of being a guard, sprinting 131 yards, 14 touchdowns, 3 touchdowns.
Pollard’s performance two weeks ago could be if the Cowboys aren’t sure if Elliott is fully healthy Gave them the confidence to sit down again and hand the reins to Pollard against the Packers.
