Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has responded to Ezekiel Elliott’s comments after the running back questioned his limited role this season.
In an interview with Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports, Elliott expressed being “dumbfounded” by the lack of opportunities he’s had, especially in the red zone. He admitted to approaching the coaching staff to question his reduced involvement.
“It’s definitely different, but I keep my head down,” Elliott told Hill. “I just focus on being a good teammate, helping lead this team, and not making it about me, but about winning football games.”
Heading into Week 6, Elliott ranks 55th in carries (30) and 70th in rushing yards (98) with just one touchdown on the season.
Elliott was the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cowboys. During his seven years with Dallas, he became a two-time rushing leader, a three-time Pro Bowler, and a one-time All-Pro.
In 2023, Elliott signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, but returned to Dallas in 2024 after the Cowboys moved on from Tony Pollard.
Fastest 40-yard dash: A look at the fastest NFL players ever, including Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Tyreek Hill, and John Ross.
Elliott expected more involvement this season but hasn’t seen it. His snap percentage started at 51% in Week 1 but has since dropped to 40%, 19%, and 18% in the following weeks. It rose to 30% in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
Meanwhile, running back Rico Dowdle has emerged as a key player in the Cowboys’ backfield.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responds to Ezekiel Elliott
On Friday, Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan and addressed Elliott’s remarks.
“That’s an exaggeration. ‘Dumbfounded’ is a bad description of how he feels. … We’re saving him, and we should be,” Jones said. “Rico is an outstanding back, but he’s had injuries. So it would be madness to depend solely on him. … Zeke is there, and we want to protect him right now.”
It’s unclear what the Cowboys are “saving” Elliott for.
The Cowboys are 3.5-point home underdogs against the Detroit Lions this Sunday.
