The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes are slim — just five percent, according to ESPN’s Five-Thirty Eight.
But this week, Dallas will get back star running back Ezekiel Elliott, whose six-game suspension ended Monday.
Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant told reporters the Cowboys were receiving “an extreme boost” upon Elliott’s return.
“That’s our horse,” Bryant said. “He gives us that extra boost of joy because of his personality and who he is. He gets guys going with his attitude and his passion and love for the game. Just seeing him back will make us play that much harder.”
The Cowboys went 3-3 without Elliott and are 8-6 this season. They are a game out of the last Wild Card spot, behind the Atlanta Falcons.
Elliott is still 16th in rushing despite having missed six games for violating the NFL’s personnel conduct policy. With Elliott, the Cowboys are 5-3 this year and were riding a three-game winning streak before his suspension.
Dallas faces the Seattle Seahawks, who are also 8-6, on Sunday in a crucial matchup.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said “we’ll see” when asked about Elliott’s workload in the final two games. Elliott has 783 rushing yards for seven touchdowns this season.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.