After fumbling only three times all of last season, Ezekiel Elliott coughed the ball up twice on Monday, making it five in the last five games. The Cowboys’ defense was putting together their best start of the season, forcing Arizona to punt on the Cardinals’ first three possessions. But once the wheels came off for Elliott, it was over for the rest of the team as well. Elliott fumbled on back-to-back possessions late in the first quarter and early in the second. The Cardinals offense turned those turnovers into a 14-0 lead.

Related players: Tony Pollard

Pollard came out and started the next series and was on for eight-straight plays before Elliott did come back into the game. The story said Elliott will need to take on a bigger leadership role with Dak Prescott out. He also could be counted on for possibly more touches as a result of Prescott being out, but will need to get the fumbling issue back under control.

But Andy Dalton is not Dak Prescott, who was off to the best start of his career and the best start ever by a Cowboys quarterback.

The offense will have to change to a degree, relying even more on the run game.

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Gallup, Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb

Once Dalton entered Sunday, the Cowboys used more of Elliott, who had 19 carries for 91 yards, behind a remade offensive line that included two undrafted free agents at tackle (Brandon Knight and Terence Steele) and a rookie at center, the story said. The good news for potential Dalton owners is, he has never had the skill-player talent he has in Elliott, Gallup, Cooper and Lamb.

Jerry Jones confirmed both Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott will be key parts of the passing attack going into Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, and then each game to follow.

"Out of the backfield, it should be interesting this year with more use of Pollard and Zeke as receiver types," Jones said to 105.3FM the Fan on Tuesday. "We've got that in and it's gonna be very effective. I'm sure excited about that area."

The offense is expected to be way more creative this year, which says a lot since the Cowboys were the league's top O in 2019. Going into 2020, the Cowboys truly have a chance to begin unleashing more two-halfback sets that utilize both Elliott and Pollard on the same play, the story said.

As soon as the Cowboys drafted CeeDee Lamb in April, it was clear they were going to be in 11 personnel most of the time. Going with three wide receivers (Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Lamb), one tight end (Blake Jarwin) and one running back (Ezekiel Elliott) gets their best personnel on the field at the same time.

It seems like good news for Elliott, running the ball in a spread out offense - and defense. As the story also said, it allows them to be less predictable at the same time. In the past, when the Cowboys would bring in an extra tight end or fullback, teams would load the box to stop Elliott. If opponents choose to put eight or nine in the box now, they’ll be at a significant disadvantage defending all of Dallas’ weapons on the perimeter.

During Thursday's media availability, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated that Ezekiel Elliott would be a 'primary focus' of the offense despite all the talent at wide receiver, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "Zeke needs to touch the football and he will in this offense," said McCarthy.

It will be interesting to see how touches are distributed in Dallas. There are a lot of mouths to feed and each player will want to 'get theirs.' Zeke is still be a priority first round pick.

Cowboys Stephen Jones said Ezekiel Elliott will play.

“He came in in really good shape. Hats off to him,” Jones said. “Obviously it was hot outside yesterday so we had a lot of players working through that heat. I think he’s going to be ready to go … Barring something unforeseen, he’s ready to play against the Giants.”

Related players: Tony Pollard

Jones was not going to get into the workload Elliott will have Sunday against the New York Giants, the story said, but one would have to think Pollard gets a few more touches than normal. Still, we list Elliott fourth on our Week 1, PPR RB list.

Ahead of Ezekiel Elliott’s first team practice since June, I’m told the plan right now is about 20-25 reps on Sunday, rookie Tony Pollard behind him and FB Jamize Olawale as your best blitz pickup guy on 3rd downs. Things can always change but this is the plan heading into today.

The plan might be to hold Ezekiel Elliott to 20-25 snaps, but much will depend on his conditioning. If Elliott truly is near game shape, his time on the field could easily rise. This number is likely Elliott's floor this week, but also puts Tony Pollard into play as a flex option on the surface.

Ian Rapoport reports on Twitter, "The Cowboys and RB Ezekiel Elliott agree on a 6-year, $90M extension that makes him the highest-paid RB in the NFL, sources tell me and @SlaterNFL. Roughly half guaranteed. In all, it's $103M over 8 years—the 1st Cowboy to eclipse $100M in total value, the richest RB contract."

The back and forth was nauseating, but the deal is finally done and Ezekiel Elliott will get in just under the wire for the 2019 NFL season. There was some doubt, but it always seemed inevitable that Jerry Jones would pay up. Elliott may be eased back in somewhat against the Giants in Week 1, but all reports seem confident he will start with just three days with the team. He is a must-start, as usual.

Agent Rocky Arceneaux made the flight with Ezekiel Elliott from Cabo San Lucas. He said the sides are “very, very close” to a deal.

“They’re committed, and we’re committed,” Arceneaux said, via video from Mike Leslie of WFAA. “That’s why we’re here.”

Related players: Tony Pollard

Elliott added he's "been ready" and other reports say the RB would be set to step right into action. While that remains to be seen, owners maybe should expect a few more reps for Pollard. But, signs remain positive that Elliott signs and plays Week 1.

Getting initial chatter of Ezekiel Elliott deal being done. Six year, $90 million extension. Unconfirmed.

Related players: Tony Pollard

After we reported the two sides had positive conversation overnight, reports followed today that Zeke was flying back to Dallas, so it could be close to getting done as the tweet indicates. At this point, if true, one would expect Elliott to suit up for Week 1, perhaps at least in a limited role with Pollard getting some extra work.