Ezekiel Elliott’s possible reunion with the Dallas Cowboys is still on.
Or at least, the door is not shut to that possibility, according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys picked a quality running back in the sixth round Saturday, getting Kansas State Wildcats running back Deuce Vaughn. The rookie will join Tony Pollard in the Dallas backfield for 2023. Pollard, who fractured his fibula in the playoffs, is expected to be ready for training camp.
The Cowboys released the 27-year-old Elliott, the former face of the franchise, in March after seven seasons to hand Pollard the RB1 duties.
But Elliott remains unsigned as a free agent, and Jones had recently mentioned the Cowboys might bring him back in a limited role.
Jones said the Cowboys’ selection of Vaughn doesn’t rule out that possibility.
“No, no no,” Jones said (via the Dallas Morning News). “Not at all. That ship hasn’t sailed yet. We haven’t made a decision. Nothing we did today changes that.”
Jerry Jones was asked if anything Cowboys did in this draft rules out the club talking to Ezekiel Elliott about a possible return.
“No, no no,” he said. “Not at all. That ship hasn’t sailed yet. We haven’t made a decision.
“Nothing we did today changes that.” pic.twitter.com/EWb5RjKpwl
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) April 30, 2023
The Cowboys got a late-round bargain in Vaughn, whose 5-foot-6 size scared off many teams. He had more than 3,800 yards from scrimmage with 34 touchdowns in the past two seasons for the Wildcats.
Dallas also has Malik Davis and Ronald Jones on their roster to provide depth at the running back position.
[David Moore, Dallas Morning News]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.