Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Where’s Zeke?
Elliott’s holdout clouds high hopes for Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — Ezekiel Elliott has everything on hold for the Dallas Cowboys.
The running back’s holdout clouds the expectations for a franchise longing to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the last of five championships nearly 25 years ago.
The Cowboys have a fourth-year quarterback already with two NFC East titles in Dak Prescott; a receiver ready to show what production for a full season looks like in Amari Cooper; and a defense with an established star in pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and two emerging ones in linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch.
Oh, and tight end Jason Witten came out of retirement in part because he thought the Cowboys could make the Super Bowl run that eluded him for 15 years before he tried broadcasting for a season.
Elliott’s teammates believe their two-time NFL rushing champion will return before the opener Sept. 8 at home against the New York Giants. However, the point at which his absence really matters is now measured in days instead of weeks.
“My gosh, look what he’s done in his time in the NFL,” said Witten, the franchise leader in catches and yards receiving who is about to set the club mark with his 16th season. “And you’re not the same when someone like that’s not on the field. No excuses. You’ve got to go find ways, different ways to do it.”
Elliott wants a new contract with two years remaining on the rookie deal signed after the Cowboys drafted him fourth overall in 2016. While Prescott was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during their remarkable first season together, Dallas has an offense built around its primary runner.
“My gosh, look what he’s done in his time in the NFL. And you’re not the same when someone like that’s not on the field. No excuses. You’ve got to go find ways, different ways to do it.” — Jason Witten, Cowboys tight end
The Cowboys were a .500 team when Elliott was suspended six games over domestic violence allegations in 2017. They lost three straight to teams that finished with winning records before three straight wins over losing teams.
“The game is certainly different when Zeke is behind us,” said center Travis Frederick, who is back after missing last season with a nerve disorder. “But it’s our job to do what we do no matter what the situation is. I think that it probably changes things a little bit, makes all our jobs a little bit harder.”
Prescott is 32-16 and coming off his first playoff victory while trying to get past the divisional round after falling short twice. He led a franchise-record 11-game winning streak as a rookie after Tony Romo got hurt. The Packers won at the top-seeded Cowboys with a remarkable play by Aaron Rodgers to set up a winning field goal. The Dallas run defense had a letdown in last season’s loss at the Rams.