Cowboys look to Morris, maybe others with Elliott suspended.
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Alfred Morris bristled when asked what has changed for him now that Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is serving a six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations with fading hopes for a third reprieve in court.
Presumably the top candidate to replace last year’s NFL rushing leader, Morris sternly reminded the swarm of a dozen-plus reporters that little had changed from his work week when he was Elliott’s backup.
“I mean, other than all these cameras in my face,” Morris said.
The usually affable Morris was more pointed than angry, and admittedly a little wound up since he stumbled over his words a couple of times and finally interrupted an answer to say he was just talking too fast.
After all, Morris is looking at his first start in almost two years when Kansas City (6-2) visits Dallas (4-3) on Sunday. It’s been even longer since he was the featured back in Washington.
Speaking of which, it will be quarterback Dak Prescott’s first meaningful start without Elliott since the dynamic rookies led the Cowboys to the best record in the NFC last season.
“This team was built on the run game before me or Zeke even got here,” Prescott said. “We’ve got those running backs. Darren McFadden had a great year before Zeke even got here and we know what Alfred Morris can do. I don’t think it changes. It is how this team is built.”
Prescott said he exchanged text messages with Elliott after a federal judge in New York on Monday night turned down the NFL players’ union request for an injunction that would have let him play while the case was in the courts.
Elliott’s attorneys are seeking an emergency stay from a federal appeals court, but there’s no indication when the court will rule or schedule a hearing. Without another injunction, Elliott will be out until the final three games of the season, starting Dec. 17 at Oakland.
Prescott said Elliott “obviously feels bad with the ruling coming down” but wouldn’t share his take on Elliott’s frame of mind.
“I know he is looking forward. He is moving forward,” Prescott said . “He is going to do the best he can to have his body and his mind ready to go when he returns.”
Meantime, the Cowboys have said repeatedly through the twists and turns of the Elliott case that they are comfortable with their options.