Cowboys make most indefensible Ezekiel Elliott decision yet vs. Eagles

Down their franchise quarterback, the Dallas Cowboys are playing with a ton of heart against the Philadelphia Eagles. While Cooper Rush has disappointed in Dak Prescott's stead, Micah Parsons and the defense put on a show in the first half to keep this a one-score game.

For every positive moment from the defense, though, there's one or two sequences from the offense that have made fans want to pull their hair out. The latest came from none other than Ezekiel Elliott, who is active today after he was benched in Week 9 for disciplinary reasons.

With Dallas knocking on the door late in the second quarter, Elliott took a handoff and fumbled the ball into the end zone while fighting for extra yards. The fumble was recovered by the Eagles.

Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott proves why he shouldn't be playing vs. Eagles

Elliott voiced frustration with his lack of red-zone touches after Rico Dowdle fumbled at the goal line against the Steelers. While it's true that goal-line work is Elliott's strength, Dowdle ripped off multiple impressive runs on the drive to help march the Cowboys down the field. There was no reason for Zeke to be in the game.

READ MORE: Cowboys reveal Ezekiel Elliott's fate after surprise disciplinary benching

Regardless, the fumble should've been Elliott's last touch of the game.

Incapable of making a decision that doesn't defy logic, Dallas not only told Elliott to keep his helmet on, but he was on the field for the very next snap (!) after Micah Parsons strip-sacked Jalen Hurts to give the ball back to the offense.

It is unfathomable that Elliott didn't take a play off after he fumbled on the goal line. The lack of accountability is embarrassing. Remember when then-rookie Hunter Luepke fumbled on the goal line against the Dolphins last year? He didn't touch the ball for the rest of the season. Elliott fumbles on the goal line and gets a carry on the very next offensive snap.

It is the latest proof that Elliott gets preferential treatment. Yes, he was benched last week, but how many underperforming backups would have been outright cut for missing multiple team meetings and being "habitually tardy" throughout the season? The answer is most of them.

Again, we cannot stress enough that Elliott is a backup. Dowdle has established himself as the best running back on the roster. He should receive no fewer than 15-20 touches per game. He shouldn't come off the field unless he taps his helmet for a breather.

Everyone seems to recognize more Dowdle, less Zeke is in the best interest of the team except the team itself.

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