Elliott shrugs off injury-marred 2021 season: 'No one is going to be 100%'

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is looking to bounce back after playing through a knee injury throughout the majority of the 2021 season.

"I mean, I was hurt last year, but it's football, after Week 1 no one is going to be 100%," Elliott said. "That's part of the game."

Elliott noted playing through the ailment for most of last year helped him learn about his own durability and pain tolerance.

"I think I knew I was tough. I think I knew I could play through injuries … it was definitely tough, but hey, it's my job," he said.

Despite being diagnosed with a partially torn PCL, Elliott rushed for 1,002 yards, 10 touchdowns, and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He also added 47 receptions for 287 yards and two scores.

While being hampered with a knee injury proved to be a challenge, Elliott said it was the Cowboys' playoff loss in the wild-card round that truly left him frustrated entering the offseason. He recorded just 31 yards on 12 carries in Dallas' lone playoff appearance against the San Francisco 49ers.

Dallas won the NFC East division, posting a 12-5 mark.

The three-time Pro Bowl tailback said he's feeling healthy and ready to go entering his seventh pro campaign. With no guarantees remaining in his contract after the 2022 season, Elliott doesn't feel any additional pressure.

"I think every year we've got something to prove," he said.