Elliott’s exhibition debut likely to be against Raiders
Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott appears set for the only game he is expected to get until his suspension over a domestic violence incident ends in late October.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Thursday he was leaning toward Elliott playing the preseason game against the Raiders on Saturday night, with a plan similar to Elliott’s only exhibition appearance as a rookie. He had seven carries for 48 yards on 14 snaps at Seattle last year before he became the NFL’s leading rusher.
Elliott faces a six-game suspension after the NFL concluded he used physical force against his girlfriend at the time last summer in Columbus, Ohio, where Elliott starred for Ohio State. Elliott has denied wrongdoing, and an appeal hearing is set for next week. If the ruling stands, Elliott will go on the suspended list the first week of the regular season and be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 23.
The Cowboys didn’t use Elliott in the first three preseason games, but he’s been a full participant throughout training camp. Last year, he missed a large portion of the preseason be- cause of a hamstring injury before rushing for 1,631 yards and helping the Cowboys to a 13-3 record.
Garrett has maintained that the preseason plan with Elliott had nothing to do with the looming suspension. MCCOY WEIGHS IN ON KAEPERNICK » Bills running back LeSean McCoy isn’t surprised Colin Kaepernick has had difficulty finding a job. And thinks it has little to do with the quarterback’s decision to not stand for the anthem last season.
Some teams, McCoy said following practice, might consider it not being worth the “chaos” to take on a polarizing player such as Kaepernick to fill what’s likely to be a backup role.
“You’ve just got to look at all sides like, if I’m an owner or the GM of a team, do I want to put him on my team?” McCoy said. “Is he good enough to be on the squad to even deal with everything that’s going on?”
Kaepernick remains unsigned after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after last season. Critics have accused the NFL of punishing the sixth-year player for refusing to stand for the national anthem to protest police brutality against blacks.
“That may have something to do with it, but I think also it has a lot to do with his play,” McCoy said . “There’s certain players that could be on the team with big distractions, and there’s other players that it’s not good enough or not worth it.” EAGLES 38, DOLPHINS 31» Carson Wentz tossed touchdown passes to both of his new receivers, Mychal Kendricks returned an interception 31 yards for a score and Philadelphia beat the Miami. Playing his second game since coming out of retirement to replace injured Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill, Jay Cutler was 5 of 8 for 105 yards and one TD . His surgically repaired right shoulder looked fine on a 72-yard pass to DeVante Parker. Wentz connected with Torrey Smith on a 50-yard TD down the right side on a third-and-8 on Philadelphia’s opening series for a 7- 0 lead. Before the game Philadelphia’s Chris Long, who grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, put his arm around teammate Malcolm Jenkins as a show of unity during the national anthem for the second straight week. Jenkins stood with his right fist raised in the air as he’s done since last season. He was surrounded by Long, who is white, and Rodney McLeod and Najee Goode. Ron Brooks took a knee behind them. PANTHERS 24, JAGUARS 23 » Seeing live action for the first time since last season’s finale, Cam Newton completed both of his passes for 21 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s victory over Jacksonville. Newton’s 9-yard slant pass to Kelvin Benjamin capped a 10-play opening drive that showed Panthers coach Ron Rivera all he needed to see from his star quarterback. Newton spent the rest of the night watching from the sideline. MCCAIN VISITS CARDINALS » Sen. John McCain dropped by for the final workout of the Arizona Cardinals’ training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium to chat with team officials and players just a week after the Arizona Republican completed his first round of radiation and chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer. GIANTS SIGN SCOTT » The New York Giants have signed defensive back Tim Scott, filling a roster spot that opened when veteran Valentino Blake left the team. The team said Thursday that Blake left the day before and he was placed on the exempt/ left squad list. It didn’t say why he left.