Why Dallas Cowboys’ Zeke Elliott, back from COVID, feels like he has something to prove
Ezekiel Elliott caught COVID-19 in June and had to take a month off from training.
But that is not what has the Dallas Cowboys star running back feisty and on edge as he heads into the season.
There are those who wonder if his role will continue to diminish in a Cowboys offense that is seemingly transitioning away from a running foundation.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and the passing game emerged as the focal point last season, and the Cowboys now have a pass-happy coach in charge with Mike McCarthy replacing the fired Jason Garrett.
And then there is the little matter of Elliott having a full training camp in 2020 after he held out in 2019 in a contract dispute before signing a six-year, $90 million contract extension just days before the season opener.
Elliott finished fourth in the NFL in rushing with 1,357 yards. But he had just two runs over 20 yards after leading the league in such runs over his first three seasons.
He admittedly blames the holdout for a slow start in 2019 and believes a resurgence will come with full camp in 2020.
“I think it did take me a little bit,” Elliott said. “I mean, I’m just a football player. I think I was ready. It’s definitely going to be better to have the training camp this year, just to make sure I’m rolling Week One.”
Elliott said has no lingering effects from COVID-19 but it did bother him in June and caused him to pause his workouts.
“I didn’t really have any symptoms,” Elliott said. “I probably felt a cough, heavy breathing for two days. I didn’t work out for a month because there’s some complications COVID can cause to your organs. You’ve got to make sure your heart and lungs are working all together before you get back out there.
“It was frustrating for sure. But I think even more frustrating is that I couldn’t leave the house, in isolation. It definitely was good to get back out and moving around once I got out of quarantine.”
During that time Elliott also battled people on social media who questioned his place among the top running backs in the game as well as the Cowboys offense.
“I mean, every year I’ve got a chip on my shoulder,” Elliott said. “I’m going to come in, do my thing. Yeah. Every year I’m going to come in with a chip on my shoulder “
But he also allowed that: “I think I do have a lot to prove. I have high expectations of myself.”
As far as the Cowboys offense is concerned, there are no worries or concerns.
McCarthy insists Elliott will remain a primary target. But He never had a big back of Elliott’s caliber in Green Bay. He points to his time with the New Orleans Saints when he had Ricky Williams and Deuce McCallister as evidence of his willingness to incorporate a big back in the offense.
“Obviously, Zeke has been such a weapon and a force as far as his opportunities here in the past,” McCarthy said. “That will continue.”
McCarthy is most impressed with Elliott’s attitude and willingness to learn a new offense.
“I can’t say enough about Zeke’s professionalism,” McCarthy said. “He pretty much sits in the front row, asks great questions, very intelligent football player, has a complete understanding of what we’re doing. As you can see, the conversion from the existing offense that was carried over from last year and the new things we’ve added, he’s been seamless.
“He’s off to a great start. He’s a true pro. I’ve been impressed.”
Elliott has not asked McCarthy about his role in the offense. But has not felt a need to.
He understands the weapons the Cowboys have at receiver with rookie and top pick CeeDee Lamb joining 1,000-yard receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. But he believes the focus of the offense is not going to change much because Kellen Moore remains the offensive coordinator.
While Elliott believes he will contend for the NFL rushing title his goals for 2020 have nothing to do with individual accomplishments or proving critics wrong.
“My individual goals are just to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “We have a great team. This is our time. That’s all of our goals.
“Just win a Super Bowl and everything else is going to fall in place after that.”
