Written by Todd Archer at ESPN.com
Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett will meet with Ezekiel Elliott to discuss the running back’s lack of effort in two plays during Sunday’s 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos.
On Dak Prescott’s two interceptions, Elliott did not attempt to track down Broncos cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib. On the Harris interception, which came after Dez Bryant could not hold on to a Prescott pass, television replays showed Elliott standing with his hands on his hips as Harris turned upfield.
On Talib’s 103-yard return for a touchdown with 53 seconds to play, Elliott dove at a Denver blitzer to protect Prescott, but he was not seen in the chase on television replays.
“One of the things we preach to our team on both sides of the ball when there is a turnover is everybody’s involved,” Garrett said. “If you’re an offensive player, you become a defensive player on a fumble or an interception. Zeke is one of the most natural competitors that I’ve ever been around. He loves to play. He loves to practice. I think we’ve seen that through his first year playing, and those two plays are not indicative of the kind of competitor that he is, and we have to get [that] addressed.”
Elliott finished with a career-low 8 yards on nine carries as the Broncos bottled up the Cowboys’ running game and forced Dallas to rely on the passing game.
Garrett said frustration could have been a reason for Elliott’s lack of effort, but that was not an excuse.
“Obviously, he had been very productive as a running back over the course of his career and certainly in the NFL up to this point,” Garrett said, “and he had a game where he carried the ball nine times for 8 yards, so there’s no question frustration could have set in.”
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