McCarthy: Cowboys will 'warm up' Elliott vs. Steelers to test hamstring injury
Ezekiel Elliott has been bothered by a hamstring injury this week, and the Dallas Cowboys will test the ailment before Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers to determine his capabilities.
"We'll take tomorrow and warm him up Sunday just to make sure that he's full go," head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday, according to team writer Rob Phillips.
Elliott injured his hamstring last Sunday and was a limited participant in practice earlier this week. McCarthy admitted the running back "didn't do as much" as he anticipated Thursday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged Elliott's ailment but anticipates he will play Sunday:
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said he expects RB Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) to play Sunday vs. Steelers. His team's final game before bye week.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 6, 2020
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore referred to Elliott's workload in Sunday's game as a "wait-and-see thing."
If Elliott can't play or is limited, running back Tony Pollard is expected to see a bulk of the carries.
"Tony Pollard's ready for any role that we put him in. Tony's ready. I've been very impressed with him. I think the last three weeks, he's played very well," McCarthy said.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Elliott has seen his numbers slip this season. The 25-year-old has yet to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a game and has fumbled five times.
The 2-6 Cowboys are expected to start either Cooper Rush or Garrett Gilbert at quarterback against the Steelers.