Ezekiel Elliott will not participate in the game against the Atlanta Falcons, as he has been designated a healthy scratch by the Dallas Cowboys.
Reports indicate that the Cowboys running back did not travel with the team to Atlanta due to disciplinary issues. In his absence, veteran running back Dalvin Cook has been promoted from the practice squad to fill the void for Sunday’s matchup.
The specific reasons behind Elliott’s punishment remain unclear, but his performance this season has not met expectations since returning to Dallas in free agency. He has accumulated only 149 rushing yards on a modest average of 3.1 yards per carry, along with two touchdowns in the first seven games. Notably, he had a season-high of 10 carries during the Cowboys’ recent loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
At 29 years old, Elliott re-signed with the Cowboys after a year with the New England Patriots in 2023. Last season, he recorded a career-low of 642 rushing yards but contributed significantly to the Patriots’ offense with 51 receptions for 313 yards and five total touchdowns after being released by Dallas.
The Cowboys brought Elliott back on a one-year deal worth $2.15 million guaranteed, following the departure of starting running back Tony Pollard in free agency. Despite Elliott’s struggles, Rico Dowdle has emerged as a key player, leading the team with 59 carries and 246 rushing yards, even though he has played one game less than Elliott.
Elliott was once a fan favorite and a prominent figure in the Cowboys’ roster, especially during their championship runs in the 1990s. He earned three Pro Bowl selections throughout his seven years with the team after being drafted fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
