Ezekiel Elliott doesn't want to make a big deal out of the lack of playing time in his return to Dallas.
Elliott told reporters on Thursday that he's had discussions with coaches about his lack of totes but isn't trying to be a squeaky wheel.
"I've talked a little bit (to the coaches)," Elliott said, via the Dallas Morning News. "But kinda let it play itself out."
Elliott started Week 1 and took 10 carries for 40 yards and a TD in the win over Cleveland. In the four games since, he's not seen more than six carries, averaging 2.9 yards per tote. He's played fewer than 30 snaps a game in the past four contests, including 23 in the Week 5 sloppy win in Pittsburgh.
Rico Dowdle has shown more pop in the run game and has gotten the bulk of the carries. He earned a career-high 20 carries for 87 yards on Sunday night.
Elliott noted that he wants to be more involved in the red zone and short yardage situations -- where the Cowboys have struggled -- but wasn't sure why he remained on the sideline.
"It's definitely a little different, but keep your head down," he said.
After being released last year, the former first-round pick spent 2023 in New England. He generated career lows with 652 yards on 184 carries and three touchdowns while averaging 3.5 yards per attempt with the Patriots. His return to Dallas in 2024 hasn't been the sort of reunion the 29-year-old hoped.
"I just focus on being a good teammate," Elliott said. "I've been focusing on continuing to help lead this team and I'm not making it about me, it's about this football team (winning) football games."
Things aren't looking more promising for Zeke or any of the Cowboys' backs heading into Week 7 against Detroit. The Lions have allowed 90.8 rush yards per game in 2024 (fourth-best in the NFL), with teams testing their rush defense with just 20.8 carries per tilt (third-fewest). With the Lions' pass defense getting picked on at times, Sunday projects as another pass-heavy load for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
