Tag: cowboys vs 49ers

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott (calf), CB Rashard Robinson (knee) and CB Deante Burton (shoulder) missed practice for second straight day.

S Donovan Wilson (groin), CB Anthony Brown (ribs) were full participants. S Xavier Woods (groin) added to injury report. He was limited.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 17, 2020

The Dallas Cowboys took the field for practice Thursday and while there were a number of key players who were able to return to practice, there was one notable absence. Ezekiel Elliott (calf) missed his second straight day of practice Thursday, according to Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken.

Elliott sustained a calf strain during the Cowboys Week 13 loss to Baltimore, but was been able to play through that injury last week and the punishing running back spoke nonchalantly about the ailment to the media this week. 

“I think it might be something I might have to manage for the rest of the season. Every day is a little bit different, it’s just a little bit stiff and sore. Everyday you just have to work through it, work through the stiffness, get all that inflammation out. Who knows how long I’ll be dealing with it, it just kind of sucks during the week trying to get it (his calf) warm and ready for practice.”

Despite being listed as a non-participant in practice, Elliott did make an appearance on the sideline of the practice field. When asked about his activities on Thursday, Elliott responded,

“Today I was just more with the bands. I was on the bands with Britt (Britt Brown, Cowboys Associate Athletic Trainer/Director of Rehabilitation). Just working through it, trying to get that range of motion, and trying to get that stiffness out of it.”

The team, and Elliott, expect him to be able to play Week 15 against the 49ers, and beyond.

Few NFL running backs have ever possessed the durability of Elliott, and that attribute has been on showcase again this season.

Dallas has been, and should continue to involve second-year running back Tony Pollard more and more as the season goes along, for several reasons. Pollard never saw a snap count percentage higher than 27% with Dak Prescott in the lineup, but the last three weeks Pollard has played at least 36% of snaps in each game.

This year, the speedster out of Memphis has posted a higher yard per carry and better broken tackle rate than Elliott. Pollard even has more rushes of 20+ yards than Elliott, with three to Elliott’s two, despite Pollard receiving just a third of the carries of Elliott.

Their skill sets are undoubtedly different, and Elliott’s ability to gain tough yards is still valuable to this team. However, if Dallas were to increase Pollard’s usage these last few weeks it could help ensure Elliott’s health is where it needs to be as the team looks toward next season, and also allow the Cowboys to learn more about their change of pace back and what his future should be like with the team.

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