(Dallas) The Dallas Cowboys have decided to bring back running back Ezekiel Elliott, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday.
This person requested anonymity to speak with the AP because the agreement would be conditional on a medical examination. Elliott, twice voted the NFL’s top running back, is back in Texas just one year after being cut to reduce the Cowboys’ payroll.
The Cowboys admitted during the draft last week that they had recently met with Elliot and his representatives.
They didn’t draft a running back after cutting ties with their former starter, and Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he believes Elliott still has the talent to be the No. 1 running back on his team.
Elliott, who will celebrate his 29e birthday when the Cowboys report to training camp in California in July, spent last season in a backup running back role, behind Rhamondre Stevenson, with the New England Patriots. However, he was given the final five starts of the campaign, after Stephenson fell in action.
Elliott won the NFL’s Most Outstanding Running Back award twice in his first three seasons with the Cowboys, and he ranks third in franchise history with 8,262 rushing yards. He is preceded by two American Football Hall of Famers – Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
Tony Pollard replaced Elliott in the Cowboys backfield last season, but he never played up to his $10.1 million annual salary. Pollard signed a new contract with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent.