Ezekiel Elliott expected to play on Saturday versus the Raiders

Earlier this week it sounded like Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott wouldn’t play on Saturday night versus the Raiders. If he didn’t play then, he probably wouldn’t play in the last preseason game, meaning he would sit out all of the exhibition games. Given that he’s facing a six-game suspension to start the season, we might not see him for a while.

But it appears like the Cowboys have changed their minds. Jason Garrett says it’s likely he will play.

Another tweet by David Moore suggests that Elliott will get 8-12 plays during the game. This goes back to the “dress rehearsal” debate and how much do you want to play your starters. This is generally the game teams give their starters the most work. But we’re not sure if Elliott will be a starter when the season begins. His suspension appeal will be heard next week, and once that decision is handed down we still don’t know how far Elliott’s legal team will pursue remedies in the court system.

The Cowboys must feel it is important to get Zeke a few reps in on the possibility that he does open up the season being able to play.