Jaylon Smith isn't particularly concerned with Ezekiel Elliott's status. As the Dallas Cowboys begin training camp in Southern California, the star middle linebacker's focus is squarely on improving with his teammates. He's clearly excited about it, too. Just because he isn't necessarily thinking about the Elliottpotentially holding out amid contract negotiations with Cowboys officials, though, doesn't mean Smith has any love lost for the All- Pro running back.

“I mean, I know I’m here,” Smith said on Thursday, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “That’s the beautiful thing. We’re a team, and we’re going to be together, and I love the hell out of Zeke.”

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett put rumors of a potential hold out to rest earlier this week, when he insisted despite weeks of rumors otherwise that Elliott would report to training camp on time. Though he wasn't on the team's charter plane from Dallas to Southern California Thursday night, fueling speculation that his holdout was imminent, Dallas made sure to clarify that Elliott wasn't the only player who missed the flight.

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“There’s a lot of guys that didn’t get a chance to make the flight,” Smith said, per team beat reporter David Helman. “Official camp day is tomorrow, so tomorrow is when we’ll see who’s here and who’s ready to go.”

Elliott, a two-time Pro Bowler since Dallas made him the No. 4 overall pick in 2016, led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,434 yards on 304 carries. He's currently eligible for an extension, and is scheduled to make just over $9 million in 2020.