5 Cowboys on Thin Ice Despite Surviving Roster Cuts

The Dallas Cowboys have officially trimmed the fat now that Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline is officially in the rearview. Head coach Mike McCarthy & Co. said goodbye to several players as they gun for a Super Bowl this season, including notable names like Peyton Hendershot, Eric Scott Jr., and Viliami Fehoko Jr.

But even though the roster is locked in, everyone's spot in the lineup isn't equal. While some players have more leeway, others are still on thin ice despite surviving roster cuts — whether that's because they failed to show up in the preseason or because there's a log jam at a certain position.

Either way, these five Cowboys must find a way to step up after surviving this year's 53-man roster deadline.

1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB

After a brief trip to New England, fan-favorite rusher Ezekiel Elliott returned to the Cowboys on a one-year deal this offseason. The No. 3 rusher in franchise history is coming off a lackluster season with the Patriots that saw him record a career-low in carries (184), rushing yards (642), and touchdowns (3).

While those are far from the worst numbers league-wide, it isn't the output that Cowboys fans are used to seeing from the ex-Ohio State Buckeye.

But even if he's lost a step, Elliott is still poised to be Dallas' RB1 come Week 1. Will that be a good idea? Time will tell.

It's hard to predict which version of Elliott will show up on the field this season. While he looked decent at times throughout training camp, the fact that he didn't suit up for any preseason action means we've yet to see him in an actual football game since January. Even if the Cowboys' offense is still among the best in the league, there's only so much that Dak Prescott and the offensive line can do to elevate Elliott.

With fellow rushers Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman waiting in the wings, a slow start could see Elliott lose the No. 1 RB job quickly. That's why he should step up before it's too late.