Elliott returns to Cowboys practice but won’t play Friday

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott practiced for the first time in two weeks Tuesday, but isn’t ready to return to game action quite yet.

Elliott only participated in individual drills. He expects to return to team drills at some point next week. That means Elliott won’t play in the second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins in Arlington on Friday night, and will probably make his pro debut in the “dress rehearsal” at Seattle on Aug. 25.

“I don’t feel behind at all,” Elliott said. “I’ve done a good job of paying attention and getting my mental reps. Today or even yesterday when I came out for the first walk-through I didn’t feel like I missed that much time. I just have to knock a little rust off and finally get back to work.”

Elliott had been sidelined since Aug. 2 with a tight hamstring, and said he had no issues with it during his limited work Tuesday.

But Elliott admitted the past two weeks had been a “mental grind.” He hated sitting on the sideline during the preseason opener Saturday in Los Angeles.

“It made me real anxious honestly. I haven’t missed any games,” Elliott said. “That was a little bit tough, but I know what’s more important right now is making sure I’m getting healthy and getting ready for the season.”

Elliott, speaking to reporters for only the second time in training camp, spoke on a wide range of topics. He praised the play of quarterback Dak Prescott in the preseason opener, said he had “one of the easiest jobs in America” running behind arguably the league’s top offensive line and feels opposing defenses will have to “pick their poison” with the Cowboys’ boasting multiple offensive weapons.

But Elliott remained mum on an ongoing investigation into domestic abuse allegations levied against him by a former girlfriend last month in Columbus, Ohio.

“I can’t really comment on anything regarding an open legal matter, but I’d love to talk about football,” Elliott said.

Praise for Romo

Romo is coming off arguably the best off-season of his career, and he feels as though he can return to his 2014 form, when he had an MVP-type season. So does coach Jason Garrett.

Romo had a full off-season for the first time since 2012 as he’s dealt with multiple back surgeries in recent years. He underwent surgery on his left collarbone, but that healed quickly enough for him to partake in most of the off-season work.

“Tony’s had a very good camp,” Garrett said. “Again, the off-season program for him this year was a little bit different in that he was able to do a lot more.”

“I think that’s a good thing for him. Obviously, he has command of our offense and has a great understanding of what defenses are trying to do. I think he’s played well. I thought he was particularly sharp yesterday — 7-on-7 was outstanding. He’s playing well.”

Hanna needs surgery

Hanna has been sidelined all of training camp with a bone bruise. He has been on the physically unable to perform list, which means he could start the season on reserve/PUP and miss the first six games.

If that happens, Hanna would not be eligible to return until the Oct. 30 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Initially we thought it was a bone bruise, and I think we still think that, but it hasn’t been healing,” Garrett said.

Garrett refused to speculate whether the bone bruise could turn into microfracture surgery for Hanna.

Hanna signed a three-year deal this past off-season, and has established himself as a blocking tight end behind Jason Witten.

With Hanna sidelined, it boosts the hopes of reserves Geoff Swaim and Gavin Escobar to make the 53-man roster out of camp. Swaim has been impressive most of camp, but had two drops in the preseason opener against the Rams on Saturday.

Escobar, meanwhile, is recovering from a torn Achilles that ended his season early last year. Escobar has practiced most of training camp, but did not play in Saturday’s game.

Transactions

The Cowboys waived/injured defensive tackle Gerald Dixon and placed OT Cameron Bradfield on reserve/injured. The Cowboys also signed WR Richard Mulanney.

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 9:40 PM with the headline "Elliott returns to Cowboys practice but won’t play Friday."