Ezekiel Elliott Plans To Play - 'For My Brothers' - In Cowboys At Bengals
FRISCO - Sunday's noon NFL Week 14 game at Cincinnati will once again see the Dallas Cowboys playing short-handed in the defensive backfield. ... but, if Ezekiel Elliott has anything to say about it, a full complement of talent in the offensive backfield.
"I think it's important,'' Elliott said of playing, "No. 1, just because we're not out of it. Then No. 2, just for my brothers. That's why I go out there and play. I go out there and play for my brothers and my teammates.
"I'm not going to sell them short."
As the 3-9 Cowboys travel to Cincy on Saturday, they do so without the injury-related availability of two key members of the secondary, up-and-coming safety Donovan Wilson and veteran cornerback Anthony Brown.
That means moves.
Both important DBs have been ruled out for the game, the Cowboys shifting their designations from "questionable'' to "out.''
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Over the course of the last two weeks, Brown has tried to practice but continues to have issues with his ribs; the team's staff ultimately opted to hold him back.
In the case of Wilson, he practiced very little in recent days and is now a no-go.
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As a helper, the Cowboys signed up from the practice squad defensive back Saivion Smith.
They did not bring up a running back, which was our Saturday indication that Elliott, despite his calf bruise (and maybe a lingering groin problem, too) should be available. And now comes Sunday word that Zeke - despite really not doing much in practice all week - plans to play in Cincinnati.
Additionally, Tyler Biadasz, who has played well when healthy, is over his groin problem and has been activated.
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With Dallas missing so many DBs (Chidobe Awuzie was this week moved to the COVID IR list), Saivion Smith along with Rashard Robinson could be key contributors at the cornerback spot against a Cincy team that will be playing without No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, the QB who is out for the season due to injury.
Dallas' QB will be Andy Dalton, who previously spend a decade as the Bengals' signal-caller. And alongside him? Elliott.
"I'm sure it's going to be sore during the game, but it's Week (14)," Zeke said. "Everyone is going to be sore. I don't think it should limit me much at all. I mean, it might be a little tender, but I'm tough."
