FRISCO — Ezekiel Elliott has missed only one game due to injury in his Cowboys career.
It appears that number will grow to two before the weekend is done.
A hyperextended right knee has kept Elliott off the practice field this week. He’s listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Chicago.
“The only chance he would have to play is if he keeps going at the rate he actually has been going,’’ head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. “He’s doing a lot better than we anticipated.
“If he practices (Saturday), he’ll have a chance to play.’’
A chance.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee): “The only chance he has of playing [Sunday] is if he keeps going at the rate he is going.” Elliott is doing better than Cowboys expected, McCarthy added. Elliott has chance to play vs. Bears if he practices Saturday. pic.twitter.com/NnlMStUQZU
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 28, 2022
The chances are greater that he won’t play and rookie Malik Davis will be elevated from the practice squad to assist Tony Pollard.
“Malik Davis is doing a heck of a job,’’ McCarthy said. “I thought he ran the ball extremely well in pre-season.
“We’ve definitely been preparing for him to get some opportunities this week.’’
Seven players — Micah Parsons (shoulder), Dalton Schultz (knee), Malik Hooker (hamstring), Terrence Steele (neck), Sam Williams (knee), Noah Brown (foot) and Devin Harper (Achilles) — are listed as questionable. Parsons is expected to practice Saturday and should play against the Bears.
DaRon Bland’s time
Shortly after DaRon Bland was taken by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the April draft, he had a conversation with Jourdan Lewis. The veteran corner told the rookie not to make this game too big.
“Know what you can do,’’ Lewis told Bland. “Nothing is bigger than that.
“Always know what you can do and never forget that.’’
That’s advice Bland will take into Sunday’s game against Chicago. Now that Lewis has been lost for the season with a Lisfranc fracture, Bland is expected to take over his role as the slot corner.
“You’ve always got to prepare for a moment like this,’’ said Bland, who has an interception and has broken up one pass this season. “Ever since this season started, I prepared as if it would be my time to be up.’’
Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday at 7 p.m. during the Cowboys season.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
