Dallas Cowboys provide Thursday injury update on Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper
The Dallas Cowboys have provided an injury update on Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper, who both missed practice on Wednesday. According to NBC Sports, head coach Mike McCarthy told reports prior to Thursday’s practice that Elliott and Cooper will take part in individual drills, undergoing medical evaluations throughout the session.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott missed Wedneday’s practice with a knee injury and wide receiver Amari Cooper sat out with a hamstring injury. The star pair provide offensive coordinator Kellen Moore with multiple options as he tailors the gameplan to each opponent.
During the Cowboys Week One loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the offense operated almost exclusively through the air, while it relied heavily on the run game during the Week Four win over the Carolina Panthers.
Dallas is set to face the New Yorks Giants at home on Sunday afternoon in a divisional matchup. The Cowboys got off to a good start in the division, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 41-21 in Week Three.
McCarthy also provided an update on defensive end Randy Gregory, who will take more reps after limited participation on Wednesday.
More on running back depth
After a slow start to the season, Ezekiel Elliott has returned to his All-Pro form. Over the past three weeks, he is averaging more than 100 yards per game on 5.83 yards per carry. He has 395 scrimmage yards this season with four touchdowns through four games.
Third-year running back Tony Pollard has emerged as the other half of Dallas’ one-two punch, complimenting Elliott with his pass-catching abilities.
If Elliott missed significant time with injury, Pollard would become the feature back with Corey Clement in reserve. The offense would likely go back to its Week One air raid philosophy with Dak Prescott able to use the best weapons available.
More on the wide receiver room
Amari Cooper has started the season well, catching 22 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns over the first four games. The veteran wide receiver is flanked by Ceedee Lamb and Cedrick Wilson, who is filling in for Michael Gallup as he recovers from injury.
The Cowboys also got good production from tight ends Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin early this year with four combined touchdowns.
If Cooper missed time with his hamstring injury, Malik Turner would likely see an increased role with Noah Brown also available on the active roster. While Dallas is deep at this position, the loss of a second starter would make the run game important as Dak Prescott looks to build chemistry with the new receivers.