Ezekiel Elliott Set To Play Next Preseason Game Vs. Raiders

Ezekiel Elliott may be suspended for the first six games of the regular season, but the second-year running back will still have the opportunity to play in the Dallas Cowboys’ third preseason game.

Ezekiel Elliott suspension news

Elliott, 22, won’t make his regular-season debut until Oct. 29 against the Redskins after the NFL suspended him earlier this month for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The running back was recently the subject of a domestic violence investigation following accusations made by his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. Elliott has denied the allegations. An appeal before league-appointed arbitrator Harold Henderson is scheduled for Aug. 29.

However, the Cowboys announced Thursday that Elliott will be able to play in Saturday’s preseason home game against the Oakland Raiders.

“The biggest thing is having the mindset of preparing him for Week 1 of the season, and that’s the approach we’ve taken,” said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. “He got a number of more reps in training camp than he did last year. If you remember he had the hamstring injury last year, ended up playing in the second-to-last preseason game and got 8, 10, 12 snaps in that ballgame. So that is the approach we’ve taken with him and anything beyond that we’ll take as it comes.”

Garrett also announced that second-year linebacker Jaylon Smith will play on Saturday at least as much as he did last week. Smith — who missed his entire rookie season — played 12 snaps and recorded one tackle in last week’s 24-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Elliott —a Pro Bowl selection — set the league record for rushing yards in 2016 to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

If Elliott’s suspension is upheld, the Cowboys plan to go with Darren McFadden, Rod Smith and Alfred Morris as their lead backs in his absence. Elliott is not allowed to have contact with the team during his suspension.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)