McCarthy: Cowboys will use Zeke in RB committee

Head coach Mike McCarthy plans to employ a committee approach to the Dallas Cowboys' backfield despite Ezekiel Elliott impressing him since returning to the team.

"That's not going to be his role," McCarthy said Saturday, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "We are going to be a running back by committee."

McCarthy added it wouldn't be "fair" to ask the veteran running back to carry the same workload as his previous stint with the Cowboys.

But the coach stressed that Elliott looks just as good as the team remembers.

"It's just like he never left," said McCarthy. "He's picked up right where he left off. He's old school."

Dallas released Elliott after 2022 following seven seasons and four 1,000-yard campaigns. The 28-year-old spent last year with the New England Patriots.

But with the Cowboys needing an experienced running back following Tony Pollard's departure to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Elliott returned on a one-year deal reportedly worth $3 million with $2 million guaranteed.

The former two-time NFL rushing leader will hope to regain his early career form after struggling in New England. Elliott finished with career lows in rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three), and yards per carry (3.5) in 2023.

The Cowboys didn't select a running back in this year's draft, leaving the club with Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman.

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