RB Elliott, QB Prescott will have to grow up fast in rookie backfield

It is rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott understanding that he will sit out Thursday's preseason final against the Houston Texans.

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has made no such declarations as he doesn't generally reveal his play-time plans before games.

If Elliott does sit, it will also mean that the next time he takes the field alongside rookie quarterback Dak Prescott it will be for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants.

Elliott has already become fast friends with Prescott, who has been elevated to the starter at quarterback with 13-year veteran Tony Romo out for at least the first six games with a fractured bone in his back.

He said the two will have to grow up fast together.

"We're going to have to rely on each other," Elliott said. "We're going to have a good bond and we’ve got to do it together."

Elliott is impressed with he's seen so far from Prescott and believes he will do well.

"I like how poised he is," Elliott said. "He doesn't ever seem to get flustered no matter what's going on. He just seems so calm when he's in the game."

Elliott doesn't expect his role to change or to get a bigger piece of the pie with Prescott in the lineup in place of the injured Romo.

"I wouldn't say I perceive to have a bigger impact," Elliott said. "The way this club is set up, it's a next-man-up mentality. When one soldier goes down, we expect the next one to rise, and there not to be a drop off. I don't think things will change."

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 3:25 PM.