It’s pretty clear that Ezekiel Elliott will be the top running back for the Dallas Cowboys entering the upcoming NFL season as he re-joins the team after spending last season with the New England Patriots. But it’s also now pretty clear that Elliott will often be splitting carries with other running backs throughout the season.
Last month, head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear that the team had decided the Cowboys would take a “by committee” approach to running the ball this season and won’t put it all on Ezekiel Elliott this season.
And on Tuesday, McCarthy reiterated that stance, making it clear that the team intends to split its primary carries among two or three running backs.
“Two or three [running backs], whatever it takes,” McCarthy said according to ESPN.
Behind Elliott, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and Nathaniel Peat are all competing for roster spots. McCarthy indicated that the team’s running back rotation will be determined by which of those players prove themselves during the offseason.
But above all, he made it clear that the team is planning to pay close attention to the wear and tear on running backs throughout the season.
“I think you have to pay attention,” McCarthy said of monitoring wear and tear on running backs. “Whether it’s two or whether it’s three, frankly, to be honest with you, the players will determine that.”
We’ll have to see how it all shakes out, but it’s pretty clear that Elliott will be sharing a lot of carries this upcoming season.
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