Elliott emerges as vocal leader for Cowboys entering comeback season

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is laser focused on restoring his status as arguably the NFL's best running back.

After winning the rushing title during his rookie year in 2016, Elliott's sophomore campaign was marred by a six-game suspension as he narrowly missed the 1,000-yard rushing plateau.

Elliott is hell-bent on leading the Cowboys back to the playoffs and is already taking on a much larger leadership role, running backs coach Gary Brown revealed.

"(He's) been much more vocal," Brown said to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. "It's good for him. He's in his third year. Coming out here being a more vocal leader, not just a leader by what he does on the football field, I think that's really good for him and really good for our football team."

Brown also believes Elliott is motivated by an intrinsic sense of needing a comeback season, believing that the star running back put an immense amount of pressure on himself following a tumultuous 2017 season.

"With what happened last year with the whole suspension and everything, I think he felt as though he didn't accomplish anything," Brown said. "But he did accomplish some things. Hopefully, he doesn't put too much pressure on himself. If he doesn't, I think well have a great Zeke."

An electrifying talent with the ball in his hands, Elliott is tasked with leading the Cowboys back to the playoffs, while trying to unseat the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles within their own division.