Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy talked Friday about star running back Ezekiel Elliott's chances of suiting up in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears.
Elliott has been battling a knee injury and is uncertain to take the field for the NFC clash.
Mike McCarthy said Ezekiel Elliott (knee) is improving maybe even better than they thought from the start of the week. If Elliott practices Saturday he would have a chance to play.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 28, 2022
Mike McCarthy on Ezekiel Elliott (knee): “The only chance he would have to play is if he keeps going on the right (path) that he actually has been going. I mean he’s doing a lot better than we anticipated. But if he practices tomorrow, then he’d have a chance of playing.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) October 28, 2022
Owner Jerry Jones also discussed the three-time Pro Bowler but seemed to strike a slightly more pessimistic tone as far as his availability vs. Chicago.
Jerry Jones confirms the plan for Ezekiel Elliott to sit out against Bears:
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 28, 2022
“It had everything to do with how we’re doing this this weekend with this bye coming up. I’m not so sure we would’ve done it this way had we not had the bye.” https://t.co/jf0umFYyTz
Jerry Jones on Ezekiel Elliott sit out vs. Bears to rest knee: This just gives too good of an opportunity if we don’t use Zeke, and we’ll see how he is responding as the week goes along, but if we don’t use him, it’s just too great of a time to get him in top shape.” https://t.co/IzObwZE0qw
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 28, 2022
If "Zeke" were to miss Sunday's contest, the bulk of the carries would likely go to Tony Pollard, who has already been splitting time with Elliott in the backfield this year. Elliott has been given 115 touches this season while Pollard has had 78 touches.
With four rushing touchdowns compared to Pollard's two, Elliott has had more opportunities for carries in the red zone, but many have opined that the 25-year-old Memphis product is the more explosive runner.
Pollard has totaled 375 rushing yards on 67 carries (5.6 yards per carry) and grabbed 11 receptions for 105 yards this season, while Elliott has churned out 443 rushing yards on 109 attempts (4.1 yards per carry) and added only six receptions for 32 yards in 2022.
The Cowboys will host the Bears at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!