Cowboys Veteran Likely Has Already Played His Final Game for Dallas
By Cem Yolbulan
The Dallas Cowboys suffered their third straight loss on Sunday to fall to 3-5 for the season. As they are quickly losing all hope for the 2024 season, the trade deadline has arrived. Regardless of whether Jerry Jones will make a big move ahead of Tuesday's deadline, one Cowboys veteran's days in Dallas are numbered.
Ezekiel Elliott, who was already unhappy with his role in the offense, was a healthy scratch against the Falcons for the first time this season. It was reported that he was inactive due to "disciplinary reasons" like tardiness and missing team meetings.
In his absence, Rico Dowdle took the majority of the snaps in the backfield, while Hunter Luepke saw 17 and Dalvin Cook saw seven snaps. Dowdle had a solid game, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, and the team went for 137 rushing yards.
Even though the Cowboys suffered yet another disappointing loss, the running game looked better than it did all season.
This likely seals Zeke's fate in Dallas. Cook has been elevated for the past two weeks and has one elevation left before he has to be signed to the active roster. When that happens, Zeke will be made more superfluous in the rotation.
Dallas will consider trading him before the deadline but considering his on-field production this season, that may be unlikely. The off-field drama he brings is just an additional reason why teams may be hesitant to acquire him.
Therefore, Elliott being cut after the trade deadline might be the more likely scenario. Regardless of how it happens, Elliott has likely played his last game for the Cowboys, officially ending an extremely disappointing reunion.