5 surprises from Week 1 of Dallas Cowboys training camp
2. Is Ezekiel Elliott really 100%?
Running back Ezekiel Elliott looked like the player from 2016 to start the season last year. Through five weeks, the former All-Pro totaled 452 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 84 carries. He was among the league leaders in his position. Then, it was revealed he was dealing with a PCL tear that bothered him for the rest of 2021.
#Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott said the PCL injury last year limited his burst.
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) July 28, 2022
"It definitely limited my burst. And I think just the stiffness, keeping it warm on the sideline, but mostly just the burst.”
The injury had a visible effect on his game. Elliott never had another game over 100 rushing yards for the rest of the season. No one in the media knew he was dealing with the injury until the end-of-season press conferences. Fans hope Elliott’s injury concerns are behind him. That is until he made a statement about his off-season training this week.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott said he was a little nervous early in offseason about right knee recovery. “Dang, this thing still feels a little iffy.” But then it came together. “By the time OTAs hit, I was back to 100.” Felt the partial PCL tear most impeded his burst. pic.twitter.com/ARqQXisbwe
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 27, 2022
It was a surprise to hear Elliott comment about his knee being “iffy” after he decided not to have surgery. Instead, Elliott and the Cowboys trainers elected to rehab his injury last season, and it never seemed to work out on game days. Sure, he was available, but at what cost? Will those same problems carry over into 2022?
The offseason is for players to get right and have no limitations heading into training camp. The success of the Cowboys this year will be riding on the health of their Pro-Bowl running back. Now, Elliott could be one hundred percent healthy, but a comment like this cause some concern heading into 2022.