Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones fuels talks of reunion with former Cowboys star

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 8/1/23

The Dallas Cowboys were dealt a blow in their already-thin backfield Monday when the NFL announced a two-game suspension of veteran running back Ronald Jones for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. The move greatly reduces Jones' chances of making Dallas' opening-day roster.

With second-year undrafted pro Malik Davis and sixth-round rookie Deuce Vaughn now penciled in as starter Tony Pollard's top backups, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is leaving the door open for a possible reunion with former starter Ezekiel Elliott. Davis has only 38 carries in the NFL.

“We're reading the tea leaves,” Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday when asked about the prospect of re-signing Elliott. “He's not ruled out at all.”

Think the best fit for free agent RB Ezekiel Elliott has always been the #Cowboys.

Come back for much less money and much smaller role. But was never sure if pride would get in the way. https://t.co/szagH5631G
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 1, 2023

Elliott, 28, met with the New England Patriots over the weekend in the first public glimpse of interest from a potential suitor since his release from the Cowboys in March.

Mac Jones and Ezekiel Elliott out in the Seaport tonight having dinner pic.twitter.com/iU1tMruRM4
— Babz (@BabzOnTheMic) July 30, 2023

A three-time Pro Bowler during his seven-year stint in Dallas, Elliott took a back seat to Pollard in 2022 en route to the worst statistical season of his career. His 876 rushing yards and 3.8 yards-per-carry average were career lows.

However, those stats don't tell the whole story.

Elliott's 26 attempts inside the 10-yard line last season were the fourth most in the NFL among running backs. Add in his usage as a short-yardage specialist, and Elliott's numbers were bound to look worse than they appear.

Former #Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott practicing his balance and weaving through traffic

S/o to @3hunnidGuru for all of his work with Elliott and Tony Pollard to make sure they’re healthy and continue to perform at a high level

(: @3hunnidGuru on IG) pic.twitter.com/6wmpSfskT3
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) July 26, 2023

While Elliott has lost a step from his All-Pro days in the mid- to late 2010s, he's still just one season removed from a 1,000-yard rushing campaign. A reunion with Elliott would immediately bolster the depth in the Dallas backfield and open more opportunities for Pollard to shine as a dual-threat weapon.

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