Jones: Elliott likely to miss some games

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he’s operating under the assumption that Ezekiel Elliott will miss regular-season games because of a holdout, but doesn’t think his star running back will be absent for all of them.

The Cowboys passed the most significant benchmark in Elliott’s absence so far with their preseason finale, a 17-15 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday, the 35th day of a holdout that has covered training camp and all four exhibitions.

Elliott has two years remaining on his rookie contract but wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid running back after winning two rushing titles in his first three seasons. The fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft is due to make $3.9 million this season and $9.1 million in 2020.

“I’m operating as though right now he’s going to miss regularseason games,” Jones said after the loss to the Bucs. “My entire expectation for what we’re putting together as a team right now would anticipate with him holding out and not having any camp, that he’s going to miss games. I accept that.”

The Cowboys go into their opener Sept. 8 against the Giants with high expectations after two NFC East titles in three years with QB Dak Prescott and Elliott.

Jones isn’t letting Elliott’s absence damper those high hopes.

“No, he can’t and won’t miss them all,” Jones said. “We need Zeke. We’re a better team with Zeke.”

Hudson on top again: Rodney Hudson once again is the NFL’s highest-paid center after signing a three-year contract extension worth nearly $34 million.

Hudson, a two-time Pro Bowler, will get just over $24 million in guaranteed money in his $33.75 million extension.

One of the best at his position, Hudson signed a five-year, $45 million deal to leave the Chiefs for their division-rival in 2015. He’s started 61 games for the Raiders and rarely has allowed a sack.

Pats deal for center: David Andrews’ uncertain status led the Patriots to fill a potentially sudden need at center by acquiring Russell Bodine in a trade with the Bills for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.

Bodine, 27, might have to replace Andrews, who was hospitalized last weekend because of blood clots in his lung.

Andrews was released from the hospital Monday.

Hall of Famer Langer dies: Hall of Fame center Jim Langer, who was literally in the middle of the Dolphins’ 1972 perfect season, died Thursday at the age of 71.

He had been hospitaized near his home in Minnesota because of a sudden heart-related problem.

Langer played every offensive down for the NFL’s only unbeaten, untied team that went 17-0. The following year he helped the Dolphins repeat as Super Bowl champions, and began a stretch of six consecutive Pro Bowl seasons.

Extra points: The Panthers placed former Pro Bowl K Graham Gano on IR. He will miss the season after developing soreness in his plant leg similar to what he had last season . ... Bengals rookie RB Rodney Anderson tore the ACL in his right knee during the team’s preseason finale Thursday.