OXNARD, Calif. — There's no need to check the date on your calendar because it is indeed August 2024 and, yes, Ezekiel Elliott is preparing to suit up for the Dallas Cowboys in September — a reunion that was only one year in the making following his departure after the 2022 season.
"We are keenly interested in seeing what the future might look like with Zeke," said owner and general manager Jerry Jones in the spring.
It's a depth chart that, to now, has been slathered with question marks following the departure of Tony Pollard in free agency and the amount of unproven, inexperienced young talent behind Rico Dowdle, who himself re-signed this offseason on a one-year deal.
For his part, though, Elliott says he feels great as he prepares for the joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Aug. 8 in Oxnard.
"I think it's good to see a different style of defense, to see a different defense and a different system," said the former two-time NFL rushing champ on Tuesday. "I know we have a lot of vets, and vets probably won't play in the preseason, so it's good to get some different looks in practice and those joint practices are a different speed — it's good for us to get those reps."
Elliott will be one of many first-teamers who will not see the field come Sunday at SoFi Stadium in the preseason opener, and getting reps against the Rams in joint practice will go a long way in helping him to sharpen himself ahead of his ninth regular season.
That means both on the ground and in the air.
"I take pride in being an all-around back," said the two-time All-Pro. "I want to be viable in all assets of the game."
There is a lot on the line for the Cowboys this coming season, including the contractual status of head coach Mike McCarthy, who is looking to take another step in making his No. 1-ranked offense that much better by, this time around, having a rushing attack that can supremely complement what Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and others can produce in the air.
Elliott understands there is no way of knowing when his next year will be his final one, so it's all about capitalizing on the now; and that's a theme that is permeating Cowboys' camp this year.
"I think we all know what I'm looking to accomplish before it's all said-and-done, so there's no reason to say it," Elliott said. "We're gonna take this thing day by day, and focus on getting better — one practice at a time."
