Cowboys adjust to Elliott’s absence
Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant offered a glimpse of how the Dallas Cowboys’ offense could look without Ezekiel Elliott: the secondyear quarterback frequently finding his top receiver.
The Indianapolis Colts are still struggling to see what life without Andrew Luck might be like.
Prescott connected with Bryant for a 32-yard touchdown on their first series of the preseason, 2016 NFL rushing champion Elliott sat again with his six-game suspension looming, and rookie Cooper Rush threw two scoring passes in Dallas’ 2419 exhibition win Saturday night at Arlington, Texas.
Last year’s NFL offensive rookie of the year after a sensational season that ultimately led 10-year starter Tony Romo into retirement, Prescott was eight for nine for 106 yards in his two series.
Elliott has appealed his suspension while disputing the NFL’s findings that he caused bruises on his exgirlfriend in several confrontations last summer.
Scott Tolzien started at quarterback and played the first half for the Colts, who aren’t sure if Luck will be ready for the regular season after offseason shoulder surgery. Indianapolis didn’t record a first down until early in the second quarter.
Other exhibitions
Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass in his first game since winning the Super Bowl on the same field as New England fell to the Houston Texans 27-23 at Houston. Brady, who sat out last week, was six for nine for 67 yards in two possessions. ... Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown pass and the Tennessee Titans earned a 34-27 win over the Carolina Panthers at Nashville, Tenn. Mariota completed a 20yard pass to rookie receiver Taywan Taylor and then added a nine-yard run on the first two plays of the game. The Titans had auctioned the first two play calls to a fan for charity . . . . Aaron Rodgers made a surprise start for Green Bay and looked in midseason form, completing six of eight for 37 yards and a touchdown, while Kirk Cousins and the rest of Washington’s firstteam offense sputtered in the Packers’ 21-17 win at Landover, Md. The Redskins gained only 13 yards on their first three possessions combined, with Cousins going two for six for nine yards. . . . Rookie Patrick Mahomes threw for two touchdowns, solidifying his spot as Kansas City’s primary backup to Alex Smith, and Smith and Tyler Bray also threw for scores in a 30-12 victory at Cincinnati. Bengals safety Shawn Williams hurt his right elbow in the second quarter and was taken off on acart .... Matthew Stafford threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones in the second quarter, and Detroit shut down Christian Hackenberg and the Jets 16-6 at Detroit. Hackenberg, New York’s backup quarterback, did little to impress in Josh McCown’s absence, going two for six for 14 yards and getting sacked twice.
Etc.
Former USC linebacker Rey Maualuga signed with Miami, giving the Dolphins needed depth at a position where they lost rookie Raekwon McMillan to a seasonending knee injury. Maualuga played his first eight seasons in Cincinnati, which cut him in March . . . . Former USC receiver Marqise Lee, who badly sprained his right ankle a week ago, said he expects to be ready for Jacksonville’s opener. Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette (left foot) also expects to be ready . . . . The knee injury suffered by Seattle offensive tackle George Fant during Friday night’s preseason game against Minnesota was a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he’s expected to miss the entire season.