No position has created more controversy this season for the Dallas Cowboys than running back. That remained the case before kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers as starter Rico Dowdle was ruled out with an apparent illness that befell him upon arriving at Levi's Stadium.
Dowdle's surprise absence thrust Ezekiel Elliott into a starting role. In a timeshare with the newly-active Dalvin Cook, Elliott made his first start Sunday night since the season-opener.
While Cowboys fans tempered expectations for the NFL's worst rushing attack, they have actually found reasonable success on the ground against a normally-stingy 49ers defense.
Zeke wants to eat. He has reservations for 6️⃣📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SvyDUyz3MT
That is vintage Zeke.
If you remember, Elliott expressed frustration with his role within the offense after the Cowboys' defeated the Steelers in Week 5. Elliott was apparently "dumbfounded" by his lack of opportunities in the red zone, per team reporter Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports.
Elliott's complaint, for lack of a better term, came after Rico Dowdle fumbled while trying to hurdle into the end zone vs. Pittsburgh with seconds left in regulation. If not for Dak Prescott diving on the football, the Cowboys would have lost the game.
While Elliott's words came off as selfish, it turns out they had some truth to them. The two-time rushing champion has long been one of the best goal line running backs in the NFL. He has an unteachable nose for the end zone and that proved true on his second quarter touchdown.
It is no secret that Dowdle is the best RB on the roster. Elliott has taken a distant backseat to the former undrafted free agent, but he has proven on multiple occasions this season that he can still be effective in a timeshare. It just so happens that he is exceeding expectations vs. the 49ers in a lead role.
There's still a lot of game left, but Elliott was a catalyst on Dallas' TD drive and that is currently the difference in the game. He has six carries for 49 yards (and counting). It's already the most yards he's had in a game this season and his 4.8 yards per carry is by far his best output.
Maybe Elliott was onto something about wanting a bigger role.
Elliott's Touchdown Run
The play capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that saw Elliott pick up a first down on a season-long 11-yard run. It was his longest run since a 12-yard gain in Week 14 last year against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he was with the New England Patriots.
Elliott had 10 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win against the Cleveland Browns, but he has not had more than eight carries of 19 yards in a game since. Before tonight anyway. After his touchdown run, he has six carries for 29 yards.
The Cowboys punted on their first drive. Dak Prescott threw an interception on their second.
The third time was the charm as Dallas drove 65 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-3 lead on the 49ers.
Rookie center Cooper Beebe saved the drive for the Cowboys after KaVontae Turpin fumbled on an 11-yard gain on third-and-9 from the Dallas 36. Beebe fell on the loose ball.
Prescott is 8-of-9 for 62 yards, with CeeDee Lamb catching five for 40 yards.
Running back Dalvin Cook has made his Cowboys debut, rushing three times for 7 yards.
Elliott's Performance Provides a Spark for Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's second rushing touchdown of the 2024 NFL regular season comes after a San Francisco 49ers penalty. That touchdown was a key moment in the game, showcasing Elliott's continued ability to contribute in a limited role.
While Elliott's performance against the 49ers may not change the Cowboys' long-term plans at running back, it could serve as a reminder to the team of his value. Elliott is a proven veteran who can still make an impact, and he should not be overlooked as a potential asset for the Cowboys. It remains to be seen if his performance will lead to a bigger role for him in the Cowboys' offense, but he's clearly making his case.
It's still early in the season, and Elliott's role in the Cowboys' offense may fluctuate based on the team's needs. The Cowboys have a number of other talented players at running back, including Dalvin Cook, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn, but Elliott's performance against the 49ers has proven that he's not ready to be written off just yet.
