Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys’ running back, will miss the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons due to disciplinary reasons, according to a source. Initially expected to play, Elliott did not join the team on their charter flight to Atlanta on Saturday. His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, could not be reached for further comment on the situation. This decision marks a notable moment in Elliott’s season, as he has struggled to make a significant impact since signing a one-year contract with the Cowboys in April.
Since returning to the Cowboys, Elliott has recorded only 149 yards on 48 carries and two touchdowns, along with seven receptions for 40 yards across seven games. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, which includes $2.15 million guaranteed and a $600,000 signing bonus. Last week, he scored his 70th rushing touchdown for the Cowboys in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, positioning him just two touchdowns behind Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett in the team’s history, trailing only Emmitt Smith.
This game against the Falcons will be the first time Elliott is a healthy scratch during a game where the Cowboys’ playoff positioning remains undecided. Previously, he had been rested during regular-season finales in 2016 and 2018 when the team had already secured its playoff spot. The uncertainty surrounding Elliott’s role was also evident in last week’s game against San Francisco, where he was expected to be active despite doubts about his game status, primarily due to the illness of leading rusher Rico Dowdle.
With Dowdle returning to health this week, the Cowboys have elevated Dalvin Cook from the practice squad, marking the second consecutive week he has been promoted. This change comes as the Cowboys have struggled offensively, averaging only 74.1 rushing yards per game—last in the NFL—and enduring a franchise record of 21 straight games without a 100-yard rusher. Elliott’s performance has contributed to these struggles, as he has not exceeded eight carries or 19 yards in five of the games this season.
Elliott’s past season with the New England Patriots saw him at career lows in both carries and rushing yards, despite catching 51 passes for 313 yards and scoring five touchdowns. He started this season with some promise, leading the Cowboys in their opener against the Cleveland Browns, but has since seen his role diminish significantly. Dalvin Cook, who previously had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, has also struggled since joining the Cowboys, highlighting the team’s ongoing issues with their running game.
