New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott will get fed—a lot—in his return to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Elliot is expected to get starter reps against his former team. Rapoport noted that didn’t necessarily mean that Elliott would be the first player on the field. That would ultimately depend on the play the Patriots decide to run.
Buy Patriots TicketsBut Elliott’s usage rate overall will reportedly go up.
Coach Bill Belichick has a ton of respect for Elliott, but he isn’t the kind of coach to feed into storylines or outside narratives. So if Elliott really does get starter reps, it’s more attributed to his progress in games and on the practice field.
From @NFLGameDay: #Patriots RB Zeke Elliott, impressive thus far, is expected to get starter reps against his former team, meanwhile #Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will have his practice window opened this week. pic.twitter.com/trf0OZXW7i
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2023
Elliott has looked more decisive with the ball in his hands than Rhamondre Stevenson. Could he be edging the third-year running back on the depth chart?
He had less carries against the New York Jets last year, but he still led the offensive backfield with 80 rushing yards. Sunday’s game could be the first time this season that he also leads the Patriots in carries.
