Dallas Cowboys Considering Shutting Down Ezekiel Elliott Due To Knee Injury

According to a breaking update released Friday by ESPN's Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys are considering shutting down Ezekiel Elliott for upcoming games to recover from a troublesome knee injury.

Werder tweeted: "Source: #Cowboys will consider providing running back Ezekiel Elliott time off to heal from the knee injury he's been managing, including the possibility of holding him out of next Thursday night's game in New Orleans, according to a source. IR not believed a consideration."

Questions over Elliott's knee buzzed Friday morning following a showing of only nine carries for 25 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thanksgiving.

Backup Tony Pollard appeared as the lead back all night in Kellen Moore's offense, out-shining Elliott with 61 combined yards of offense — including a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter. 

“Yeah, I don’t know,'' Elliott responded regarding the injury after the Thanksgiving loss. "I feel alright but, (the game plan) probably was (impacted).''

While Elliott has voiced minimal concern with missing time of his own volition, the coaching staff appears to have a different direction in mind.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was non-committal to considering Elliott in "full health."

“I am concerned because he’s a warrior,” McCarthy commented Friday morning. “He was fighting to get back in there Thursday.''

The 7-4 Cowboys face off against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday.

Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela