Ezekiel Elliott looks to be in the best shape of his life! (see pic)

A photo of Dallas Cowboys suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott shows he’s been working hard and looks to be in the best shape of his life.

Eight games. That’s how many contests superstar running back Ezekiel Elliott has played for the Dallas Cowboys in this, his second season as a professional. Prior to the Cowboys Week 10 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, the NFL reinstated Elliott’s six-game suspension for suspected domestic violence.

Barred from even talking to the team, much less practicing or working out at the Cowboys’ facilities, Elliott decided to break away from all the noise and head to Cabo San Lucas. A well-known vacation hot spot, especially during spring break, Zeke’s presence in such a party town drew immediate ire from fans. The last thing Elliott and the Cowboys needed was for the gregarious 22-year old to be involved in yet another negative incident.

Now on the edge of the Cowboys final game without Elliott in the back field, it’s been a quiet six-weeks … at least as far as Zeke has been concerned. And apparently, the young running back used his time away from Dallas wisely.

According to reports, Elliott appears to be in the best shape of his life. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport even shared a picture of Zeke via Twitter with the already finely tuned athlete that was the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft looking very lean and trim.

Rapoport went on to report that while Elliott worked with a personal trainer to get in better shape during his time away, he also received some much needed counseling regarding his life off the field. One of the mentors who meet with Zeke in Cabo was Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson.

In fact, Dickerson told TMZ Sports that he and Elliott have a jersey bet were Zeke promised to rush for 200 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in his return in Week 16.

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But first things first. The Dallas Cowboys must defeat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday night to keep their playoff hopes alive. If they are unable to do so, the return of Ezekiel Elliott this season may be a moot point.