The Dallas Cowboys received some bad news recently learning that star running back Ezekiel Elliott will serve a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. Although Elliott will miss time during the regular season, the second-year back is eligible to play in the preseason.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett spoke about Elliott's status for the team's next preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
At this point, it doesn't really benefit the team or Elliott to get time on the field if he ends up misses the first six games of the regular season. Elliott has appealed the suspension and may see games missed reduced, but it will still likely be some time before he gets back on the gridiron for Dallas.
In the meantime, veteran back Darren McFadden is expected to shoulder the load in the backfield along with Alfred Morris and Rod Smith. Morris and McFadden are more than capable of being formidable replacements with both veterans at one time being starters for the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders.
Following the team's matchup with the Raiders this weekend, the Cowboys will finish out their exhibition schedule against the Houston Texans on Aug. 31 on the road at NRG Stadium. Dallas will face their bitter division rivals in the New York Giants in Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 10 at AT&T Stadium.