Cowboys vs. Saints injury report: Dallas sits Ezekiel Elliott, offensive linemen at practice

The Dallas Cowboys got together for their first practice for the upcoming Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints. Reports from the local media say that Ezekiel Elliott got a veteran day’s off.

Ezekiel Elliott took part in pre-practice stretching Sunday but went inside when the work began for a day of rest. The Cowboys want to be careful for how much practice time he receives during the week with the workload he gets in games.

Additionally, the Cowboys offensive line was banged up and three of the starters were working on the side.

As the team started its preparations for the week, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Xavier Su’a-Filo were all going through rehab for various injuries.

That isn’t terribly surprising, given the knocks this offensive line has taken in recent weeks. Smith is still recuperating from the stinger he suffered last week against Atlanta, which forced him to sit out of Thursday’s win against Washington. Martin has been managing a knee injury for much of the last month, while Su’a-Filo tweaked his ankle on Thanksgiving.

In their place, Cam Fleming was working as the Cowboys’ first-team left tackle during Sunday’s practice, while Connor Williams played left guard and Adam Redmond filled in at right guard. How the Cowboys’ starting trio works back into practice will be something to watch as the week goes on.

The Cowboys were also without Sean Lee, Tavon Austin, Geoff Swaim and David Irving, who still isn’t ready to practice after a high ankle sprain sidelined him a few weeks ago.