INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the Dallas Cowboys after a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The decision has been made. While inactives don't have to be announced until about an hour and a half before kickoff, the Dallas Cowboys addressed their running back situation with an early indicator. The club has left the DFW area for their Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and they boarded the plane without Ezekiel Elliott.
There's no injury, either, rather Elliott is staying behind for disciplinary reasons. With last week's elevation of Dalvin Cook, Elliott was going to be RB3 last week until Rico Dowdle got sick on gameday, and there's a lot of speculation that his feelings about his role may have led to this decision. Along with Cook's elevation, CB Josh Butler is going to make his season debut.
If there's been one microcosm that's been most emblamatic of Dallas' 2024 season, it's been the Cowboys cornerback situation. The offseason plan was that the Cowboys secondary was going to be a strength. After all, sitting atop the league leaderboard for interceptions since the start of the 2021 season were Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. The added caveat that Dallas played the majority of the 2023 season without the All-Pro Diggs and Bland wasn't drafted until 2022 made things all the more remarkable.
Diggs' immediate level coming off an ACL tear was questionable, and then right before the season, the club lost third-year All-Pro DaRon Bland to a foot injury that required surgery. Dallas replaced Bland in the lineup with a fellow late-round pick, rookie Caelen Carson, who played admirably until a shoulder injury knocked him out of action. Bland came close to playing before a setback and now a month has passed and he's not practicing again. Carson has been practicing, but for some unknown reason isn't playing yet and now Diggs has a muscle tear in his camp and missed practice all week. This is how a team gets to 3-4.
Here's a look at the club's revamped roster, including this week's two practice squad elevations, RB Dalvin Cook and xxx
Quarterbacks (3)
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dak PrescottCooper RushTrey Lance
Running Backs (5)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 12: Rico Dowdle #23 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) runs with the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jake FergusonLuke SchoonmakerBrevyn Spann-Ford
Wide Receivers (5)
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) walks the field before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton #60 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches during training camp on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Jun 4, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) runs through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Zack MartinTyler SmithTJ Bass
Centers (2)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 8: Defensive tackle Kobie Turner #91 of the Los Angeles Rams locks up with center Brock Hoffman #67 of the Dallas Cowboys during a skirmish between the two teams during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Cooper BeebeBrock Hoffman
Defensive Ends (4)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 17: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Linebacker Micah Parsons #11 and defensive tackle Mazi Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys throw punches aa they jokingly spar prior to a training session on July 30, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Osa OdighizuwaMazi SmithLinval JosephCarlos Watkins
Linebackers (6)
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (35) wears a Guardian helmet cap during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Eric KendricksDeMarvion OvershownDamone ClarkMarist LiufauBuddy JohnsonNick Vigil
Cornerbacks (6)
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrate after Diggs intercepts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 8: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against safety Malik Hooker #28 and Donovan Wilson #6 of the Dallas Cowboys during joint practice at training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Malik HookerDonovan WilsonJuanyeh ThomasMarkquese Bell
Special Teams (4)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Brandon Aubrey #17 of the Dallas Cowboys watches his field goal with Bryan Anger #5, to take a 12-6 lead over the Los Angeles Rams, in a 13-12 Rams win during a preseason game at SoFi Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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