DALLAS – As the Dallas Cowboys, currently 3-2, gear up to face the 3-1 Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium this Sunday, team owner Jerry Jones is marking his 82nd birthday with an interesting perspective on Ezekiel Elliott’s role. While fans are puzzled by Jones’ remarks, he’s adamant that Elliott’s reduced playing time is strategic. The former two-time NFL rushing champion now plays behind Rico Dowdle, but Jones claims the team is “saving” Elliott for later in the season.
The Cowboys’ run game has been struggling, with the team averaging just 3.5 yards per carry—ranking 31st overall in the NFL—even after Dowdle’s 87-yard breakout in last week’s win against Pittsburgh. The lack of a strong ground game has forced quarterback Dak Prescott to throw more often, averaging 38.2 attempts per game, a formula many believe is unsustainable.
Despite his diminished role, Elliott remains optimistic. This week, he met with the coaching staff to discuss his role and ask for more opportunities. “It’s definitely a bit different,” Elliott said. “But I’m staying focused on being a good teammate and helping lead this team. It’s not about me—it’s about winning football games.”
While some in the media have praised Elliott for his team-first attitude, Jones took things further in a recent radio appearance, offering an unexpected explanation. “We’re saving him,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “And we should be.”
This explanation has left Cowboys fans scratching their heads, with many expressing a mix of confusion and respect for Elliott’s perseverance, even as they recognize that a changing of the guard may be happening.
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