Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy comment on possibility of adding Ezekiel Elliott after Ronald Jones suspension
The Dallas Cowboys will play the first two games of the 2023 season without Ronald Jones after the NFL suspended the running back for violating the league’s PEDs policy. Despite some suggesting the team cut the former Chiefs back, it doesn’t appear they will given the length of his suspension.
Although the Cowboys are sticking by their new man, team owner Jerry Jones couldn’t help but entertain the possibility of a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott. The former star running back is still a free agent following his release in March.
“He’s not ruled out at all,” Jones said on The Ticket on Tuesday.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, however, had a pretty good reason for why the team will continue forward without changes to the running back room.
“Well, because of the reps,” McCarthy responded when asked why the Cowboys shouldn’t add Elliott. “We’re just not going to hit a bump and then give up on the path. We want to see these young guys. I want to see them play in games.”
As far as Jones goes, McCarthy is in his corner.
“We support him and we’ll work through this,” McCarthy said. “We’ll just continue to develop the (running back) room.”
Jones will be eligible to return when the Cowboys head to the desert to face off against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 24. He can still play in the preseason games and workout with the team despite his suspension for the first two games.
Dallas fans will have to get used to someone other than No. 21 carrying the rock. Although it will be No. 20, Tony Pollard, most of the time, Mike McCarthy is also working with three younger running backs to supplement Pollard’s snaps.
Cowboys explore RB options behind Pollard
On Monday, McCarthy opened up about his running back room, naming Rico Dowdle as a player he’s “loving” right now.
“I tell you, I’m loving Rico (Dowdle), and it’s great to have him back,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken. “Malik (Davis) has taken that jump that you’re looking for. Those guys really jump out. Obviously, we’ve got to get Deuce (Vaughn) involved.”
Dowdle, an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, didn’t record a snap for Dallas last season. However, in 2020, he had seven carries with 15 game appearances. A pending free agent this offseason, the Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal for $1.04 million in March to keep him with them. Going into his fourth season in the league, Dowdle is 25 years old.
Alongside Rico Dowdle amongst the team’s returning players is Malik Davis. The former Florida Gators running back appeared in 12 games last season but carried the ball in just six. Another undrafted player, Davis has 38 carries as a rookie with 161 rushing yards and his first career touchdown. He also caught six passes for 63 yards.
Deuce Vaughn, a sixth-round selection for Dallas, is another player McCarthy is excited to get involved on offense, on top of potential kick return duties. Vaughn measured in at 5-foot-5 at this year’s NFL Combine, making him the shortest player measured in combine history.
What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, quickness, and versatility. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons for the Wildcats, also racking up 116 career receptions for 1,280 yards in his three seasons in Manhattan.