Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys head into their Week 6 matchup against the Detroit Lions with a 3-2 record this season.
Although Dallas’ high-powered offense is ranked 10th in the NFL through five weeks, its ground game is ranked second-to-last, averaging just 82.0 yards per game, only ahead of the New York Jets.
Elliott, 29, signed a one-year, $2 million contract in April to return as a veteran presence in a mostly young Cowboys running back group. After his season-opening game in Cleveland with 12 touches for 49 yards and a touchdown, Elliott has mostly disappeared in the first month.
On Thursday, longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. provided an update after speaking with the three-time Pro Bowl running back.
“Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott confirmed he’s spoken with coaches about his role and is puzzled by his lack of chances, particularly as a red zone back,” Hill shared on X.
Elliott hasn’t had more than eight touches or 32 yards from scrimmage since Week 1. So far, he has recorded only 36 total touches for 134 yards, averaging a modest 3.3 yards per carry.
Teammate Rico Dowdle leads the Cowboys in carries (54), rushing yards (221), and first downs (14) this season. However, Dallas has yet to break a run longer than 13 yards.
Elliott’s last season averaging over 4.0 yards per carry and exceeding 1,000 yards was in 2021.
