Cowboys reportedly not giving up on signing Ezekiel Elliott before Week 1

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has spoken this week like a team owner who understands he will be without one of his best players for at least a portion of the regular season, but that is likely just his way of trying to maintain leverage in contract negotiations.

Ezekiel Elliott has yet to report to the Cowboys, and Jones said after Thursday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he accepts the running back will not be playing for the team in Week 1 and potentially beyond that. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Friday that the Cowboys have privately not given up hope that Zeke will be in the building in time for Week 1.

From @gmfb: While #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks openly about planning for Zeke Elliott to miss games, the team has continued to work behind the scenes to find a solution. pic.twitter.com/XMZxfBqZY7

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2019

“Make no mistake, they are still working on trying to lock Zeke up long term, still working on trying to end that holdout and maybe potentially get something done before the season,” Rapoport said.

Rapoport noted that players typically don’t report until Tuesday or Wednesday before the first week of the regular season, which gives Elliott and the Cowboys several more days to finalize a deal. The two sides have been talking for quite some time and obviously know what it will take to get a contract done, so there’s always a chance something could be hammered out at the last second.

Elliott is due to make just $3.8 million this year and $9.1 million next year. He’s likely seeking to be paid closer to the level of compensation Todd Gurley received from the Rams. It’s unclear when he will return, but Week 6 seems to be a timeline that might make sense.