Cowboys closer to Ezekiel Elliott reunion amid RB shortage - ESPN

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have yet to fill their running back need, but the return of Ezekiel Elliott looks more and more likely.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones would not say the Cowboys have an agreement in place with Elliott, who played for Dallas from 2016-22, but he has acknowledged interest in Elliott.

Jones was asked Friday whether not drafting a running back during the first three rounds was more about the way the draft has fallen or the Cowboys' comfort level of what they have on the roster.

«First of all, the draft's not over and that's a thought,» Jones said. «And it was a long time before a running back was taken in today's draft. But we also are keenly interested in seeing what the future might look like with Zeke.»

The Cowboys met with Elliott and his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, earlier this week to discuss a potential reunion. Then later Elliott and Arceneaux happened to go to the same restaurant, Dee Lincoln Prime, where the Cowboys were holding a scouts' dinner.

Jones said he still believes Elliott can be a starting-level running back.

Elliott led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing on 184 carries with three touchdowns. He also had a team-high 51 catches for 313 yards and two scores. His 642 yards, however, were a career low. He saw a significant increase in workload in the final five weeks of the year after top rusher Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain.

«I know this, I saw as recent as the end of the year, I saw Zeke play,» Jones said. «And I will tell you he's good enough to be a starter.»

In the final five games, Elliott did not run for more than 68 yards and averaged more than 3.1 yards per carry just once.

The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard, their leading rusher the