On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to take on the Atlanta Falcons on the road for Week 9. However, running back Ezekiel Elliott has already been ruled out, and it’s been a bit of a mystery.
Adam Schefter reported that Elliott did not travel to Atlanta with the team for “disciplinary reasons,” but those reasons were not clearly stated.
NFL insider Jonothan Jones for CBS has clarified how long problems have been going on between Elliott and the organization.
“Ezekiel Elliott not traveling with the Cowboys for disciplinary reasons has been building for some time within the team, source tells me. It was in everyone’s best interest he not accompany the team this weekend,” he wrote on X.
Ezekiel Elliott not traveling with the Cowboys for disciplinary reasons has been building for some time within the team, source tells me. It was in everyone’s best interest he not accompany the team this weekend.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 2, 2024
However, this now just begs the question of the specific problem. Now that there is a time frame, maybe past clues from Elliott himself or his teammates could help fill in the pieces.
Of course, when a problem has been brewing for weeks between a player and an organization, the immediate first thought is that it is because of how the player is being used.
It could be similar to Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who was suspended for one week by the team for skipping practice and reportedly not liking his role in the offense.
Ezekiel Elliott Has Been One Of The Main Running Backs For The Cowboys
Throughout the season, the Cowboys have given most of the rushing attempts to Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott.
Dowdle has led the team in rushing attempts with 59, going for 246 yards, and zero touchdowns.
Elliott has been right on his trail, getting 48 attempts for 149 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys have done their best to utilize both running backs relatively evenly.
