Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 73

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will not be charged after an investigation into a domestic violence accusation, according to Elliott’s father.

Stacy Elliott wrote on Twitter today that his son has been informed there will be no charges.

“My son has been vindicated! Truth has prevailed! If he had violated one of OUR core values I personally would have had him charged!” Stacy Elliott wrote.

Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t commented on the matter today, and authorities have not publicly announced whether or not he will be charged, but Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram reports that prosecutors will not pursue charges against Elliott.

The Cowboys made their signing of quarterback Mark Sanchez official on Sunday about 24 hours after they initially announced that they’d be signing the former Jet, Eagle and Bronco to their 53-man roster.

They waived Jameill Showers to make room for Sanchez on the roster, which some might have interpreted as a decision to keep Tony Romo on the 53-man roster while he recovers from the broken bone in his back that’s expected to keep him out for much if not all of the first half of the season.

On Monday, coach Jason Garrett said that no such decision has been made about Romo’s status and that it will come after more tests in the next couple of days.

“We’re going to continue to gather information here in the next couple days on Tony and just see what his status is,” Garrett said, via the team’s website. “Currently he’s on the 53-man roster. We’ll get some more information here over the next 48 hours and make a determination as to what his status will be going forward.”

Mark Sanchez will eventually be the Dallas Cowboys' backup to Dak Prescott while Tony Romo is out with a compression fracture in his back.

Sanchez agreed to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a few days after the Denver Broncos attempted to trade him to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys felt like they had to do something behind Prescott, who will become just the fourth rookie in franchise history to start a season opener, the story said.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is wearing a back brace as he begins his recovery from a compression fracture of his L1 vertebra that he suffered Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Dallas Cowboys went 1-11 without quarterback Tony Romo last season, and they may have to turn to rookie Dak Prescott early on this season.

For now, Romo's rehab will consist of rest and immobility, but Garrett will not rule him out of the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Giants. A source said Romo will miss 6-10 weeks.

"We've gotten a lot of different timetables for when he can return," Garrett said. "We also know that he's played with a broken bone in his back before, so there's no reason for me to stand up here and put a timetable on this. I think a lot of other people outside of this building have suggested they know what the timetable is. That's not the world we live in. We live in the world day by day, do what you can to get yourself better and we'll update you as we go."

Dak Prescott took the first-team reps on Sunday with Jameill Showers the backup. The Cowboys are expected to look for a veteran backup while Romo is out.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott has participated in three full practices the last three days and coach Jason Garrett said he anticipates the Dallas Cowboys' first-round pick will play Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Elliott suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 2 while the Cowboys practiced in Oxnard, California. He missed eight straight practices and the first two preseason games, but he was able to participate in two workouts before the team returned to Texas last week.

"I'm excited to finally get some full-go action," Elliott said Tuesday. "It's been a long time."

Garrett wasn't sure how much Elliott would play against the Seahawks. The third game of the preseason is most like the regular season for the starters, but since this is Elliott's first game some accommodations will be made, the story said.

Michael Thomas has No. 1 receiver potential.

Make no mistake: Brandin Cooks is still the best wide receiver on the Saints. But their second-round pick has been the summer darling thus far, consistently making impressive plays at The Greenbrier and adding a couple more in the preseason opener against the Patriots. Michael Thomas' size, ball skills and run-after-catch instincts should help him contribute significantly as a rookie, and he should continue to grow.

Thomas is expected to replace Marques Colston's production in the lineup, but he could push Willie Snead (who has also had a good camp) if he continues to shine.

Ezekiel Elliott got two reps, so the lion’s share of the first-team work went to Alfred Morris – who was outstanding. It’s always hard to gauge running backs in training camp, because tackling is not allowed. But Morris seemed to break through to the second and even the third level before he was even touched on most of his runs.

With Darren McFadden on the shelf (elbow), Morris is getting the chance to prove he can be Elliott's primary backup. If anything were to happen to Elliott, the Cowboys' RB1 would hold significant fantasy value.