The fourth week of the NFL season is underway, and one of the biggest stories is the potential impact of Ezekiel Elliott on the Dallas Cowboys. Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, has been suspended for six games due to an alleged domestic violence incident. The suspension was initially upheld by the NFL, but Elliott has since filed an appeal and is awaiting a ruling.
The Cowboys have been one of the most successful teams in the league over the past few years, but they have struggled to find consistent success without their star running back. Elliott has been a major part of the team’s success, and his absence could be a major blow to the team’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
If Elliott’s suspension is upheld, it could be a major setback for the Cowboys. Without Elliott, the team would have to rely on a combination of Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden, and Rod Smith to carry the load in the backfield. While all three are capable runners, they are not nearly as dynamic as Elliott and would likely struggle to replicate his production.
The Cowboys are also likely to suffer from a lack of offensive balance without Elliott. Without him in the backfield, the team would be forced to rely heavily on the passing game, which could put too much pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons, but he is still a young quarterback and could struggle if asked to carry too much of the offensive load.
Elliott’s potential absence could also have a negative impact on the Cowboys’ defense. Without Elliott’s presence in the backfield, opposing defenses would not have to worry about respecting the run game and could focus more on pressuring Prescott and disrupting the passing game. This could lead to more turnovers and put even more pressure on Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense.
The Cowboys are hoping that Elliott’s suspension is overturned and that he will be able to play this season. If not, they will have to find a way to make up for his absence and keep their offense moving in the right direction. It will be interesting to see how the team responds if Elliott is forced to miss any games this season.