⇓When the Dallas Cowboys re-signed RB Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, reactions from fans were mixed. For many, it evoked strong emotions, rekindling memories of a fan-favorite who thrived from 2016 to 2019. During that period, Elliott amassed 5,405 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, marking one of the best four-year spans in Cowboys history. Though his performance declined from 2020 to 2022, fans cherished his on-field charisma and memorable moments. After seeing him play for the New England Patriots in 2023, excitement grew among Cowboys fans to see him back in 2024.

However, analysts quickly noted his struggles in New England, where he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. After six games this season, it’s apparent that Elliott has lost some explosiveness with age and is no longer an effective NFL running back.

In the first five games of the season, he had only 30 carries. It became evident that RB Rico Dowdle had assumed the starting role, particularly after the Cowboys’ struggles to run the ball overall. Week five showcased Dowdle’s potential, as he achieved a career-high 20 carries for 87 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry against a tough Pittsburgh defense.

Following Dowdle’s strong performance, reports surfaced that Elliott was “dumbfounded” by his limited role this season. Team owner Jerry Jones refuted this claim, stating on 105.3 The Fan that it was an exaggeration.

“That’s an exaggeration. Dumbfounded is a mischaracterization of how he feels about things. … We’re saving him, and we should be,” Jones explained. “Rico [Dowdle] is an outstanding running back. His challenge has always been his size in blocking and protecting the quarterback. But his main issue has been injuries. So depending on that would be foolish. … Zeke is there, and we want to manage his workload right now.”

Despite this, a noticeable change occurred against the Detroit Lions, where Elliott received more carries than Dowdle. Elliott managed eight carries for just 17 yards (2.1 yards per carry), while Dowdle rushed for 25 yards on five carries (5.0 yards per carry). It seems coincidental that Elliott would suddenly out-carry Dowdle after a report on his dissatisfaction surfaced, especially following Dowdle’s impressive outing the previous week. Elliott’s inefficiency has been glaring, as his current yards per carry is the lowest of his career. While fans can appreciate Elliott’s earlier contributions to the Cowboys, it’s crucial to recognize that giving him more carries than Dowdle is detrimental to the team’s offensive success.