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RB Ezekiel Elliott, LAC (4 Viewers)

Faust said:

The Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill reports Ezekiel Elliott (knee) "is not expected play [in Week 8] and rest knee for a couple of weeks."​

This reports comes as Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy insisted Elliott still had a chance to play in Week 8 against Chicago if he can practice on Saturday. With the team's bye looming in Week 9, it would make sense for Dallas to rest Elliott and get him ready for the stretch run in a run-first offense. Tony Pollard would be a tantalizing RB1 option against the Bears if Elliott is sidelined.
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SOURCE: Clarence Hill on Twitter
Oct 28, 2022, 11:34 AM ET
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Do they normally practice on Saturday for Sunday games? Thought it was just Wed-Fri.
 

Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is out for Week 8 against the Bears.​

Elliott was trending on the wrong side of playing all week and has now been confirmed out. Tony Pollard enters Week 8 as a high-upside RB1 and should be in all fantasy lineups. Pollard should serve as the Cowboys' lead back and could be in for a big day on the ground.
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Oct 30, 2022, 11:51 AM ET
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Speaking Sunday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said "there's no argument" about Ezekiel Elliott's status as the team's lead back.​

Tony Pollard ripped off 14 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys' win over the Bears, but that's not enough to convince Jones that the team needs to reconsider Elliott as the team's lead runner. This was always going to be the case, as Jones refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing in the team's decision to grant Elliott a six-year, $90 million extension in 2019. Elliott, who leads the Cowboys with 109 carries has 443 rushing yards on the season and has been out-gained on the ground by Pollard, whose 506 yards and five touchdowns now lead the team. Jones added that Elliott's ability to "punish" and serve in pass protection is "integral" to the Cowboys' success. Assuming Elliott is healthy after Dallas' Week 9 bye, we'd expect Elliott to resume his role as the leading rusher.
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SOURCE: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Oct 31, 2022, 12:31 PM ET
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he expects Ezekiel Elliott (knee) to return for Week 10 against the Packers.​

Jones has made every effort to defend Elliott as the Cowboys' unquestioned top back following Tony Pollard's Week 8 explosion against the Bears. Elliott should return to his boring early-down role in Week 10 while Pollard gets back to his change-of-pace role in the Dallas backfield. Pollard would be a shaky flex option in the run-first Cowboys offense. He'll continue to carry tremendous contingency value.
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SOURCE: Jori Epstein on Twitter
Nov 4, 2022, 11:47 AM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott (knee) did not practice on Monday.​

Owner Jerry Jones said he expected Elliott to return in Week 10, but Monday's absence isn't an encouraging start. With it being so early in the week, this could be nothing come Friday, but it's still worth noting. Elliott has missed each of the Cowboys' last two games with a sprained MCL, leaving Tony Pollard -- Dallas' best running back -- as the team's lead back. If he's able to return this week against the Packers, Zeke should be treated as a mid-RB2. If Elliott is held out, Pollard should be treated as a top-12 option against a porous Packers defense.
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Nov 7, 2022, 3:39 PM ET
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Option A:
If he's able to return this week against the Packers, Zeke should be treated as a mid-RB2.
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Option B:
If Elliott is held out, Pollard should be treated as a top-12 option against a porous Packers defense.
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you know how sometimes you get those multiple choice options where it feels obvious the other answer is just a filler and not really an option but then it turns out to be a trick question. this is kind of like that.
 

Jerry Jones expects Ezekiel Elliott (knee) to play Week 10 against the Packers.​

"It's anticipated he'll be ready to go," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. Elliott did not practice on Monday, but it sounds like he should practice in some capacity this week. If he plays, both he and Tony Pollard will be RB2/FLEX options in a good matchup against the Packers.
SOURCE: Jori Epstein on Twitter
Nov 8, 2022, 12:52 PM ET
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Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team would monitor Ezekiel Elliott's practice reps this week.​

Elliott is expected to practice Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Packers. He missed Dallas' Week 8 win over Chicago, before the team's bye week. His return to the early-down banger role will make Tony Pollard a shaky, big play-reliant flex option once again. Through Week 8, Pollard led the league in yards after contact per carry while Elliott ranked 47th. Pollard rated as the NFL's fourth most elusive back and Elliott was 44th in elusiveness rating. McCarthy and Jerry Jones have spent the past two weeks ensuring the media and Dallas fans that Zeke remains the team's lead back.
SOURCE: Todd Archer on Twitter
Nov 9, 2022, 11:43 AM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.​

Same as it was on Wednesday. At this time most of the signs are pointing towards Elliott getting Week 10 reps against the Packers, in what will be a blow up spot for both he and Pollard. The real question is how many snaps each will be good for -- Elliott's limited practice role suggests that Pollard may handle more of the load, particularly if the game isn't close.
Nov 10, 2022, 4:26 PM ET
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he expected Ezekiel Elliott (knee) to play in Week 10.​

Jones has spent much of the past two weeks doing PR for Zeke after Tony Pollard went off for 131 yards and three touchdowns in Week 8 against the Bears, confirming suspicions that he is in fact the team's best rusher. On Friday, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Pollard is "a man" and could be a featured back in the NFL if he ever found a team willing to use him in such a role. Elliott should resume his early-down banger role in the run-heavy Dallas offense this week against Green Bay. He'll be a touchdown-dependent RB2.
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SOURCE: Jon Machota on Twitter
Nov 11, 2022, 11:58 AM ET
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ESPN's Ed Werder reports a decision on Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) isn't expected until inactives are released for Week 10 against the Packers.​

The Cowboys want to see how Zeke responds to pre-game workouts before making a final decision on his game-day status. Elliott missed Week 8 before the team's Week 9 bye. Tony Pollard would be in line for another featured role should Zeke ultimately fail to suit up against the Packers. Consider Pollard a mid-range RB1 in the absence of Zeke. The team called up practice squad running back Qadree Ollison in an associated move.
SOURCE: Ed Werder on Twitter
Nov 12, 2022, 3:12 PM ET
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Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy expects Ezekiel Elliott (knee, questionable) to be inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.​

That sound you hear is the Tony Pollard RB1 siren. McCarthy described Elliott's injury as a hyperextension, one that needs another week to heal. Perhaps Zeke could change the coaching staff's mind with an impressive pre-game workout, but fantasy managers can feel confident going all in on Pollard in DFS. We will receive official word when Cowboys inactives are announced just before 3PM ET. Elliott should have a good chance of returning in Week 11 against the Vikings.
SOURCE: Ed Werder on Twitter
Nov 13, 2022, 11:31 AM ET
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So, what do we think Zeke is coming back to?

Through Week 6, Zeke outsnapped Pollard (58%/42% mix), and outsnapped him 5 of the 6 weeks.
 

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Ezekiel Elliott (knee) should be available in Week 11.​

“We are a better team when we’ve got him and got him available," Jones said Friday. "Defenses are well aware, more than anybody of his impact and his availability. I’m glad to have him back, and it does look like he’s gonna be available (Sunday).” The Cowboys should be able to return to an inefficient rushing attack this week against the Vikings, with Elliott functioning as the lead back and Tony Pollard making big plays with limited touches. Zeke is a touchdown-dependent RB2 assuming he gets his regular workload against the Vikings.
SOURCE: Jon Machota on Twitter
Nov 18, 2022, 12:13 PM ET
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I find it comical how much Rotoworld is upset by Elliott keeping their golden child from RB1 status for ROS. Just complete zero regard for real life football.
 
habsfan said:
tricky92 said:
Tin Cup said:
So, what do we think Zeke is coming back to?

Through Week 6, Zeke outsnapped Pollard (58%/42% mix), and outsnapped him 5 of the 6 weeks.
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I don’t think it will change. They like Zeke to tenderize defenses
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If anything you might see even more Zeke this week just to drive the message home.
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I think the Cowboys do a good job of utilizing both of their RBs. They do different things, and the team is able to keep Pollard fresh for huge chunk plays in big spots.
 
Cowboysfan8 said:
tricky92 said:
I find it comical how much Rotoworld is upset by Elliott keeping their golden child from RB1 status for ROS. Just complete zero regard for real life football.
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They’ve turned into a joke
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It's to the point where you have to use the site strictly for news, and completely disregard their analysis that goes with it. Every week a player goes from "every week WR1" to "WR3 going forward" based on how they played that specific week. Garbage.
 

Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is active for Week 11 against the Vikings.​

Elliott had been trending this way all week, but there has also been smoke he will be the 1B to Tony Pollard's 1A. It's hard not to take a "believe it when you see it" approach there, but we do have Pollard ranked as the better Week 11 play. Inactive for the Cowboys are LB Anthony Barr, NT Quinton Bohanna, DE Tarell Basham, S Markquese Bell, CB Nahshon Wright and QB Will Grier.
Nov 20, 2022, 2:58 PM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott rushed 16 times for 92 yards and one touchdown in the Cowboys' Week 12 win over the Giants.​

Elliott also saw one target, which he caught for three yards. Elliott's TD was set up by a 25-yard CeeDee Lamb reception down to the 6-yard line. Elliott ran up the middle for six on the following play to put the Cowboys up 7-3. He had two other highlight runs on the day. He ripped off 22 yards on an option play. He also made a nice move to break a tackle on a 3rd-and-4 to then break into the open field for a 16-yard gain. Elliott looked fairly quick, by his standards, but he also looked less explosive than Tony Pollard. Elliott is a reliable option for the Cowboys, but he's entirely TD-dependent with Pollard once again out carrying him. He'll be a low-end RB2 against the Colts.
Nov 24, 2022, 8:02 PM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott rushed 17 times for 77 yards and one touchdown in the Cowboys' Week 13 win over the Colts, adding three receptions for 14 yards.​

Zeke didn't get in on the scoring fun until late in the fourth quarter but managed to save his fantasy day with the four-yard scamper. Tony Pollard drew the start and played most of the first two drives before rotating with Elliott for the remainder of the game. Pollard significantly outperformed the veteran back from an efficiency standpoint, which has become the norm for the backfield tandem this season. The Cowboys now turn their sights on the top rushing matchup in the league as they host the Texans in Week 14, where Elliott will maintain his RB2 status.
Dec 5, 2022, 12:23 AM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott rushed 16 times for 58 yards and a touchdown, adding two receptions for 13 yards on two targets in the Cowboys' Week 15 loss to the Jaguars.​

Elliott had a nice 10-yard run, where he spun and rolled over a defender to get into the end zone. However, Elliott had three fewer carries than Tony Pollard and three fewer targets as well. Pollard also totaled 35 more yards than Elliott. However, while Elliott might be the 1B in the Cowboys backfield, he appears locked into that role. He could be a big part of the Cowboys game plan against the Eagles, assuming the Cowboys pound the rock against Philadelphia's vulnerable run defense.
Dec 18, 2022, 5:52 PM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott rushed 13 times for 27 yards in the Cowboy' Wild Card Round win over the Bucs.​

Elliott saw two fewer carries than Tony Pollard and was far less effective that his backfield compatriot, though that is far from a new development in the Dallas backfield. Despite leading the Cowboys in carries when both he and Pollard are active, Zeke is still in search of his first 100-yard game this season. He has virtually no shot of reaching that mark versus an elite San Francisco run defense in the Divisional Round.
Jan 17, 2023, 12:28 AM ET
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Ezekiel Elliott rushed 10 times for 26 yards in Dallas' Divisional Round loss to the 49ers, adding two catches for seven yards on four targets.​

Put on the spot following Tony Pollard's high-ankle sprain, it immediately became clear that the Cowboys had little prayer of getting more than short-yardage third downs out of Elliott. And lacking Pollard's explosiveness with few snaps given to third back Malik Davis, Elliott had a key third-and-goal drop that helped lead to a field-goal attempt. He also, hilariously, played center on Dallas' final snap of the game and was immediately run over, as it was unclear what anyone on the field was trying to do. Elliott barely finished as an RB2 in PPR leagues, but his steady role in a good offense and a touchdown streak kept him lineup-viable for most of the second half of the season. He has a $16.7 million cap hit for 2023 and would probably be a release candidate for most any other team, but Jerry Jones loves Elliott. He'll probably be in the RB Dead Zone mix in 2023 drafts, with an RB2 ranking possible depending on whether Pollard or more competition is brought back.
Jan 22, 2023, 10:07 PM ET
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Cowboys beat writer Michael Gehlken reports Ezekiel Elliott would be willing to take a pay cut in 2023 to remain with the Cowboys.​

This is a good sign for the Cowboys, who are currently on the hook for $16.72 million due to Elliott next season. Elliott had arguably his worst season as a pro in 2022, rushing for a career-low 876 yards and 3.8 YPC while catching just 17 passes -- also a career-low. If the Cowboys were to cut Elliott, they'd owe $11.86 million in dead cap, but that dead cap number drops to $6.04 million if they were to cut him before the 2024 season. Elliott closed out the season rushing for just 100 yards and one touchdown in his final four games, failing to break a run of 10 or more yards over that span. A pay cut would give the Cowboys more money to offer Tony Pollard, who is set to hit free agency this offseason and is the superior back at this point.
SOURCE: Michael Gehlken on Twitter
Jan 23, 2023, 8:52 PM ET
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Cowboys GM Jerry Jones said he wants Ezekiel Elliott back for the 2023 season.​

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones repeated this sentiment, with the caveat that it “has to work financially” for both sides. He also said he didn't notice a dropoff in Zeke's level of play in 2022. It's unclear whose film Stephen was watching that made him say this, but it may not have been Elliott's. The plodding runner averaged fewer than four yards per carry for the first time in his career. He also posted his worst season of the past five years by rushing yards over expected per carry. The Cowboys can save $4.9 million if they cut Zeke this offseason but would be on the hook for another $11.9 million. Tony Pollard is also a free agent and will need at least three months to recover from ankle and leg injuries suffered in the Cowboys' final game of the playoffs. It's possible the Cowboys want to restructure Elliott's contract to keep him on the payroll at a reduced cost. If he doesn't buy into the move, cutting him outright is an option.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Nick Eatman on Twitter
Feb 1, 2023, 1:50 PM ET
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Faust said:

Cowboys GM Jerry Jones said he wants Ezekiel Elliott back for the 2023 season.​

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones repeated this sentiment, with the caveat that it “has to work financially” for both sides. He also said he didn't notice a dropoff in Zeke's level of play in 2022. It's unclear whose film Stephen was watching that made him say this, but it may not have been Elliott's. The plodding runner averaged fewer than four yards per carry for the first time in his career. He also posted his worst season of the past five years by rushing yards over expected per carry. The Cowboys can save $4.9 million if they cut Zeke this offseason but would be on the hook for another $11.9 million. Tony Pollard is also a free agent and will need at least three months to recover from ankle and leg injuries suffered in the Cowboys' final game of the playoffs. It's possible the Cowboys want to restructure Elliott's contract to keep him on the payroll at a reduced cost. If he doesn't buy into the move, cutting him outright is an option.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Nick Eatman on Twitter
Feb 1, 2023, 1:50 PM ET
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Is Zeke now the highest paid short-yardage specialist in NFL history?
 
Dizzy said:
Faust said:

Cowboys GM Jerry Jones said he wants Ezekiel Elliott back for the 2023 season.​

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones repeated this sentiment, with the caveat that it “has to work financially” for both sides. He also said he didn't notice a dropoff in Zeke's level of play in 2022. It's unclear whose film Stephen was watching that made him say this, but it may not have been Elliott's. The plodding runner averaged fewer than four yards per carry for the first time in his career. He also posted his worst season of the past five years by rushing yards over expected per carry. The Cowboys can save $4.9 million if they cut Zeke this offseason but would be on the hook for another $11.9 million. Tony Pollard is also a free agent and will need at least three months to recover from ankle and leg injuries suffered in the Cowboys' final game of the playoffs. It's possible the Cowboys want to restructure Elliott's contract to keep him on the payroll at a reduced cost. If he doesn't buy into the move, cutting him outright is an option.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Nick Eatman on Twitter
Feb 1, 2023, 1:50 PM ET
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Is Zeke now the highest paid short-yardage specialist in NFL history?
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I'm in a standard scoring league. I'll take the 12 td's anyway of the week.
 
spurs44 said:
Dizzy said:
Faust said:

Cowboys GM Jerry Jones said he wants Ezekiel Elliott back for the 2023 season.​

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones repeated this sentiment, with the caveat that it “has to work financially” for both sides. He also said he didn't notice a dropoff in Zeke's level of play in 2022. It's unclear whose film Stephen was watching that made him say this, but it may not have been Elliott's. The plodding runner averaged fewer than four yards per carry for the first time in his career. He also posted his worst season of the past five years by rushing yards over expected per carry. The Cowboys can save $4.9 million if they cut Zeke this offseason but would be on the hook for another $11.9 million. Tony Pollard is also a free agent and will need at least three months to recover from ankle and leg injuries suffered in the Cowboys' final game of the playoffs. It's possible the Cowboys want to restructure Elliott's contract to keep him on the payroll at a reduced cost. If he doesn't buy into the move, cutting him outright is an option.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Nick Eatman on Twitter
Feb 1, 2023, 1:50 PM ET
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Is Zeke now the highest paid short-yardage specialist in NFL history?
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I'm in a standard scoring league. I'll take the 12 td's anyway of the week.
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My point is... Zeke is basically a version of Jamaal Williams. He can be replaced for a savings.
 

Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline reports Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is expected to take a "large pay cut" to remain with the team.​

Cowboys GM Jerry Jones has said the team wants Elliott, who is scheduled to make $16.7 million, back for 2023. Releasing Elliott ($5M cap savings) remains in play but would come with $12 million in dead money. Elliott returning on a restructured deal may be the likeliest outcome, allowing Dallas to keep him on the roster at a reduced salary. The Cowboys also have an interest in bringing back free agent Tony Pollard this offseason.
RELATED:
SOURCE: ProFootball Network
Feb 8, 2023, 9:20 AM ET
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The Athletic's Bob Sturm writes Ezekiel Elliott "has one option for employment above the league minimum and it is right here in Dallas."​

"I think the answer is that given the number of analysts and scouts I have talked to about Elliott this year and the consensus opinion is in stone. He has very little left in his legs and the word is out," Sturm leads with. Well, people do watch football. It's already been reported by Tony Pauline earlier this offseason that Elliott was facing a massive paycut. It sounds like the market may be tepid enough for him to remain a Cowboy no matter what. The real question in that scenario is: Just how much runway would Elliott get to keep being a focal point in Dallas' running game?
SOURCE: The Athletic
Feb 21, 2023, 2:48 PM ET
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League minimum honestly isn't unfair in my eyes. Zeke has been a mediocre RB for 3 years now. Pollard should have gotten the main job at least 2 years ago. Pass blocking is basically Zeke's calling card these days.

@Dizzy calling Zeke basically Jamaal Williams, is honestly a dig at Williams at this point.
 
Pretty smart move by Zeke, if he is indeed willing to take a massive pay cut. He’s already made bank massively over just about every other RB in the league, so to have ability to understand that and be open to a reduced contract to stay where he feels comfortable is the correct move
 

ESPN's Dan Graziano reports it "would not be surprising" to see the Cowboys cut Ezekiel Elliott this offseason.​

This comes just weeks after The Athletic's Bob Sturm reported Elliott had "one option for employment above the league minimum and it is right here in Dallas." Knowing Jerry Jones' infatuation with Elliott, the team outright cutting him would be surprising, despite Graziano suggesting the opposite. Elliott has long been expected to take a major pay cut this offseason, but the team can save $4.8 million by releasing him, and $10.9 million if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut. With the Cowboys already expected to retain Tony Pollard this offseason, it makes little sense to have significant cap invested in Elliott, whose best days are clearly behind him.
SOURCE: ESPN
Mar 5, 2023, 5:06 PM ET
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Faust said:

ESPN's Dan Graziano reports it "would not be surprising" to see the Cowboys cut Ezekiel Elliott this offseason.​

This comes just weeks after The Athletic's Bob Sturm reported Elliott had "one option for employment above the league minimum and it is right here in Dallas." Knowing Jerry Jones' infatuation with Elliott, the team outright cutting him would be surprising, despite Graziano suggesting the opposite. Elliott has long been expected to take a major pay cut this offseason, but the team can save $4.8 million by releasing him, and $10.9 million if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut. With the Cowboys already expected to retain Tony Pollard this offseason, it makes little sense to have significant cap invested in Elliott, whose best days are clearly behind him.
SOURCE: ESPN
Mar 5, 2023, 5:06 PM ET
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I thought Jerry Jones was in love with him? He may wait to see if he gets Robinson
 

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill Jr. reports the Cowboys are expected to release Ezekiel Elliott. ​

Hill cited sources "close to the situation" who said the team would part ways with Elliott, 27, a longtime favorite of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The move, which would be a post-June 1 release, would save the Cowboys nearly $11 million against the cap. In 2022, Elliott's yards per carry plunged to a career low 3.7. He recorded runs of more than ten yards on just 17 of his 254 rushing attempts last season, having completely lost the explosiveness that made him one of the NFL's most productive backs from 2016 to 2019. Zeke in 2022 ranked 48th in Pro Football Focus' breakaway rate, lower than plodding backs like Damien Harris and Boston Scott. Tony Pollard would become a first-round pick in fantasy drafts if Elliott is released, and we could see a team sign Zeke to a one-year flier deal unless he retires.
RELATED:
SOURCE: Clarence Hill on Twitter
Mar 15, 2023 at 10:07 AM ET
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