Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott did not make the trip to Atlanta for the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 9 matchup against the Falcons due to “disciplinary reasons.”
Elliott, 29, will notch the first healthy scratch of his nine-year NFL career. The Cowboys activated Dalvin Cook from the practice squad to fill Elliott’s absence alongside lead running back Rico Dowdle.
On Sunday morning, new details regarding Elliott’s reported behavior emerged.
“Ezekiel Elliott is a healthy scratch today. The first of his career. According to a number of sources, Elliott has been distracted this season. Aside from habitual tardiness, he’s missed three team meetings with Friday’s meeting the final straw. Both parties decided it was best he didn’t make the trip to Atlanta. Dalvin Cook and Rico Dowdle will be expected to carry the load this afternoon,” NFL Network insider Jane Slater wrote on X.
The Cowboys are already taking disciplinary action against Elliott with this healthy scratch, but there are some who believe the team should take things a step further and cut the veteran running back for good.