Getty The Cowboys will likely be without RB Ezekiel Elliott in Week 8.
The Dallas Cowboys have added a running back to the 53-man roster amid Ezekiel Elliott’s injury.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cowboys are adding practice squad RB Malik Davis to the 53-man roster for their Week 8 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. Elliott is currently considered doubtful for the game due to an MCL sprain injury in his right knee.
“With Ezekiel Elliott listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Bears, the Cowboys elevated RB Malik Davis to their active roster from their practice squad,” said Schefter on Saturday, October 29.
The 23-year-old rookie has played in two prior games for the Cowboys, seeing special teams action versus the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 and the Detroit Lions in Week 7. He has yet to register a statistic this season.
With Elliott likely sidelined, Tony Pollard will start. Meanwhile, Davis will be the primary backup to Pollard.
Cowboys Expected to Sideline Elliott for 3 Weeks: Report
According to Clarence Hill of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys will hold Elliott out for this Sunday’s game with the plan being for Elliott to return in Week 10 versus the Green Bay Packers.
“According to a source, Elliott is expected to miss the Bears game and return after next week’s bye, giving him three weeks of rest and recovery for when the Cowboys resume play Oct. 13 at the Green Bay Packers,” said Hill.
Elliott initially suffered the injury on a hard hit to his knee from a Lions defender during the second quarter. Despite the hit, Elliott remained in the game and finished with 57 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Here’s the play where #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott injured his right knee
Our panel of doctors believe he avoided serious injury
⏩https://t.co/7sLKTangl7
The 29-year-old back actually hurdled over a Lions defender just a quarter later.
“He actually was practicing the hurdle in practice,” QB Dak Prescott said postgame on Sunday. “He didn’t jump over him, but he did the whole slow-feet stutter, and I’m like, ‘I’ll bet he jumps a guy this week,’ and sure enough, it just happened. He’s relentless. When I saw the play, I thought it was a little ugly. I’m like, ‘I hope he’s fine.’ Ran over to the sideline, he said he’ll be good, and it wasn’t too long before he was jumping a guy. That’s Zeke for you.”
Elliott Seeing a Slight Decline in Snaps in 2022
The veteran running back has been dinged up over the past couple of seasons, suffering a torn PCL in his right knee in Week 4 last season. Despite the injury, he played in all 18 games. As noted by Garrett Podell of CBS Sports, Elliott leads the NFL in carries (1,845) and rushing yards (8,187) since entering the league back in 2016.
Despite his wear-and-tear over the years, Elliott still leads the Cowboys with 109 carries for 443 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He actually ranks seventh in the league in carries.
However, he is seeing a reduction in snap counts compared to last season. With Pollard consistently seeing an increased role over the past couple of seasons, Elliott is seeing action on 61 percent of the offensive snaps this season. That’s a decline from the 66 percent of snaps he saw last season and the 73 percent of snaps he saw action in during the 2020 season.