Jerry Jones: 'We go as Zeke goes.' But can Cowboys count on RB Ezekiel Elliott?

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott did not make ESPN’s top 100 players list or the NFL’s Top 100, voted on by players. This begs the question: Should the Cowboys be concerned about Elliott, who's in his seventh NFL season? 

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains confident in the running back.

"We go as Zeke goes," he said recently, per CBS Sports. "I know it's a lot on [quarterback] Dak [Prescott]'s shoulders, but we go as Zeke goes. He's very capable of being everything we've ever wanted him to be."

Elliott’s career started with a bang, leading the NFL in rushing as a rookie with 1,631 yards and finishing third in MVP voting. However, Elliott has declined after the spectacular debut. 

Elliott has not rushed for 1,500 yards, scored more than 15 rushing touchdowns or averaged more than a 100 yards rushing a game since his rookie season. Last year, he had the fewest carries of his career (237).

That trend could continue with the emergence of teammate Tony Pollard, a fourth-year player who set career highs in rushing attempts (130) and yards (719) last season. Running backs are more replaceable because they experience more wear and tear than most other players.

Former NFL rushing leaders DeMarco Murray, Chris Johnson and Arian Foster flamed out because of  injuries and a sharp drop in production after they turned 26.

Elliott, who's 27, isn’t working with the strong offensive line the Cowboys have had in the past. Left tackle Tyron Smith will miss most of the season with a left hamstring tear.

The Cowboys have tried to preserve Elliott’s longevity by giving him fewer carries over the past two seasons. He clearly seems to be on the back nine of his career.