A prevailing conversation all week has been the availability of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for the Week 9 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The star running back has been hampered by a hamstring injury this week, and was limited in practice throughout the week. Head coach Mike McCarthy indicated that he wanted to see Elliott warm up prior to the game before making a decision.
That warm up has happened and the assessment has been made. Elliott, who ranks fifth in the league in yards from scrimmage (741) will give it a go when the game kicks off at 3:25 p.m. central.
A source said Ezekiel Elliott will play today against Pittsburgh. He went through a 20-minute work out to test his sore hamstring. How much he will be used will be determined as the game goes along but Tony Pollard will get work as well. Elliott has… https://t.co/6u2uFnMko1
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 8, 2020
Green light for Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott vs. Steelers. He reached down to hamstring at least once between drills, but he clearly felt good when finishing workout without setback. https://t.co/lvCR929RlE pic.twitter.com/e4od50A027
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 8, 2020
Elliott has scored six total touchdowns on the season, but has had an unusually bad year with five fumbles in eight games, a series of drops and a collection of pass protection issues. He has been hampered by the team’s inability to trot out a consistent offensive line, and his concentration lapses hurt the team in their early funk. Since the departure of quarterback Dak Prescott, defenses have keyed on stopping him, as he has only 157 yards on the ground in the last three games. He also only has 47 receiving yards on 10 catches since Andy Dalton and Ben DiNucci have been starting.
On Sunday, Garrett Gilbert will line up under center.
Tony Pollard is averaging the same 3.9 yards per carry as Elliott is, although his carries come with the benefit of less defensive attention when his number is called and without the average-slowing short-yardage carries Elliott is well known for.
Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) looked well in pregame warmups and is a go against the #Steelers, but I’m told a full workload is not expected.
Possibly not anything close to it.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) November 8, 2020
If Elliott cannot go or has his workload decreased, Pollard could see the most work of his short career. Dallas also has UDFA rookie Rico Dowdle (three carries, 13 yards) and just activated UDFA rookie fullback Sewo Olonilua for the contest.
[vertical-gallery id=657423][listicle id=657416][lawrence-newsletter]