Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 48

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.

Latest on Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott. A more positive day. Issues continue on structure.

The tweet went on to say the big issue is the impact of the 30% rule. It has been a grind, according to Robinson. That rule pushes a lot of money up front, or forces creative measures to meet Todd Gurley's average per year. Dallas doesn’t want a frontloaded deal, but talks are progressing according to the tweet. Seems like good news for those who took a chance on drafting Zeke. A full workload in Week 1 may be a lot to ask at this point, even if he does suit up.

Adam Schefter is reporting contract talks between the Cowboys and running back Ezekiel Elliott are “intensifying” and a deal could be done this weekend.

Deadline spur action, as has become well known, not just in football but in life. Not that there was a hard deadline, but we are just eight days away from the Cowboys’ opener on September 8 against the Giants. But this is absolutely a positive sign and chances are now rising he will be available for Week 1, so if you didn’t panic, great job staying the course. If you haven’t drafted yet, you can still fee comfortable taking Zeke in the top half of the first round. Don’t be afraid to also take Tony Pollard later as well as a strong handcuff.

ESPN's Todd Archer is reporting Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones is now expecting RB Ezekiel Elliott to miss more than just the season opener against the New York Giants on September 8.

"'I'm operating as though right now he's going to miss regular-season games," Jones said of the running back after the Cowboys concluded the preseason Thursday with a 17-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "My entire expectation for what we're putting together as a team right now would anticipate with him holding out and not having any training camp that he's going to miss games. I just accept that,'" wrote Archer. Archer is also reporting nothing appears imminent between the Cowboys and Elliott.

Tony Pollard's value continues to rise. The rookie rushed 15 times for 84 yards in three preseason games, being held out of the preseason finale against the Buccaneers. Pollard is in line for a sizable workload against the Giants. If you already had your draft and Pollard is somehow still a free agent, grab him now.

The Cowboys open vs. the Giants, at the Redskins and vs. the Dolphins before a big Sunday night showdown in New Orleans.

Cowboys beat reporter Jean-Jacques Taylor said, "The Cowboys, I think, want Tony Pollard to be exactly what Tavon Austin was for the Rams in 2015. That year, he had 104 touches -- 52 receptions and 52 carries -- for 907 yards and nine touchdowns. That's 6.5 touches per game.

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott

JJT added that's a doable number with Ezekiel Elliott still getting his touches, assuming he and the team come to terms on a contract. JJT feels the Cowboys need some big-play juice and that Pollard can give that as a complementary player. We've seen speculation that Pollard can stand on his own in certain PPR leagues and this would certainly indicate that.

Worth noting fullback C.J. Ham has been the Vikings' lone third-down back for starting offense in limited preseason reps.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison

Cook will be a three-down back, but they need a reliable third-down option, the tweet went on to say. That could be Ham, especially if the rookie Mattison isn't up to speed by the time the season starts.

Jerry Jones added that Tony Pollard still has a lot of work to do, specifically in pass protection, where he missed a blitz pickup that got quarterback Dak Prescott hit.

Still, Pollard, a fourth-round pick out of Memphis who also returns kickoffs, has impressed the Cowboys so far in camp. And he might just be the Week 1 starter, if the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott don’t come to terms on a new contract.

Related players: Darius Jackson, Jamize Olawale, Mike Weber, Alfred Morris

All along, Pollard has been the favorite to see passing-down action for the Cowboys and the thought was he could even hold his own in PPR leagues. Pollard's stock seems to be still on the rise, especially with Elliott still holding out.

NFL Network's Jane Slater reports on her conversation with a source close to negotiations for a new deal with Ezekiel Elliott, "How close is this Zeke deal to getting done? A source informed told me, 'close? Nope.' So, what are the sticking points? The guarantee? Length? 'Everything.'”

Despite some recent optimism, there doesn't seem to be a new deal on the cusp of getting signed for Ezekiel Elliott. The most important date remains August 6th, as that's the day Elliott will need to report to camp if he wants to accrue a season toward free agency. If Elliott blows by that, we have a problem in Dallas.