Cowboys in Dallas running back Ezechiele Elliott will not travel with the team to Atlanta this weekend, marking a rare absence for the veteran playmaker for disciplinary reasons. Rete NFL Ian Rapoport by ESPN Todd Archer were among the first to report that Elliott, the longtime leader of Dallas’ offense, will not be suited up for Sunday’s matchup against the Hawks. This development leaves the Cowboys struggling to fill a significant gap in their roster.
With Elliott out, the Cowboys did called up veteran Dalvin Cook from the practice squad for the second week in a row. Cook, who joined Dallas as a midseason reinforcement, had a modest performance in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ersmanaging just 12 yards on six carries.
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However, with Elliott out of the rotation, Cook is likely to see more snaps, sharing responsibilities with Rico Dowdle. The Cowboys hope the pair can step up and give their struggling running game a boost, who currently ranks last in the NFL averaging just 74.1 rushing yards per game.
This lack of on-field production comes at a time when Dallas’ offense could use a spark. Elliott was a key red zone contributor and reliable presence this seasonamassing 149 yards on 48 carries and scoring two rushing touchdowns. His average of 3.1 yards per carry may not be record-breaking, but his contributions provided stability to an otherwise inconsistent Dallas offense. Elliott’s absence will leave the Cowboys without one of their few constant land threatsputting additional pressure on the quarterback Dak Prescott and the receiving body.
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The Cowboys’ matchup against the Falcons presents an interesting test Atlanta’s defense ranks 21st in rushingallowing an average of 132.6 rushing yards per game. This potentially favorable matchup could be a golden opportunity for Cook and Dowdle to make an impact and help Dallas avoid becoming one-dimensional on offense. Cowboys fans will be watching closely to see if Cook, who had a quiet debut last week, can establish himself as a reliable option in Elliott’s absence.
To further strengthen their lineup, Dallas did so also elevated cornerback Josh Butler from the practice squad. With the Cowboys defense facing a dynamic quarterback-led Falcons offense Kirk Cousinsthe added depth in the secondary could prove crucial. However, all eyes will be on how the Cowboys handle Elliott’s absence on offense. Dallas’ season could depend on their ability to adapt to unexpected changes, especially in the ground game.
Elliott, who has 9,053 career rushing yards in his nine NFL seasonshas been a constant for Dallas fans, so his absence will certainly be felt on Sunday. For Cowboys Nation, Sunday’s game isn’t just a battle against the Falcons: It’s a test to see if Dallas can find new answers without relying on one of their most familiar directors.
