Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Haven’t Ruled Out Bringing Ezekiel Elliott Back

The veteran running back remains a free agent as training camps begin.

Although the Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott in the offseason, the running back remains unsigned as training camps are underway. However, with Elliott taking visits, it is not out of the question that he returns to Dallas, especially after running back Ronald Jones II was suspended for the first two games of the season.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday, and he left the door open for the team to re-sign Elliott.

• Get seats to Dallas Cowboys games with SI Tickets

“We’re reading the tea leaves,” Jones said, via Audacy.com. “And so the events like yesterday, the suspension that’s involved, you can have injuries of varying degrees, and then you have got the thing that everybody thinks of, and that’s how does it look?”

Jones mentioned that the team will have a better idea of what their running back situation looks like once they can practice in pads more often.

“It’s hard to appreciate Zeke without pads, because that be his game,” Jones said. “And when you put that pad on and you realize the collisions that can happen for you, just his protection and blocking, then all of a sudden you start thinking about the kind of things you'll be thinking about when you're evaluating at camp. He's not ruled out at all there.”

Elliott spent the first seven years of his career in Dallas, where he led the league in rushing twice, rushed for over 1,000 yards four times and made three Pro Bowls. However, the Cowboys opted to move on from him in favor of Tony Pollard this season to get out from Elliott’s big contract.

Last season, Elliott had a career-low 876 yards rushing but still scored 12 touchdowns in 15 games.

Recently, Elliott visited with the Patriots, but the veteran does not appear to be close to signing with a team. He is one of a few running backs still on the market as preseason unfolds.