The Cowboys have enough to worry about from the POV of X’s and O’s. So, when RB Ezekiel Elliott was moved down the pecking order to the inactive list ahead of the Falcons game, we knew they did not want distractions (dramas, to be precise). Elliott has put out a lowly 3.1 yards per carry this season and at first, this was thought to be the reason behind keeping him in Dallas for the clash against the Falcons. But as it turns out, that is not the case.

Coach McCarthy finally broke his silence on the Cowboys’ decision to bench Ezekiel Elliott. And to be honest, he didn’t sugarcoat it. “There are things we all have to do in the workplace,” McCarthy said. That’s what it is. That’s as far as I’m gonna go with it.” The HC added that is was “really a team discipline situation. It’s a mutual decision for Zeke not to make the trip.”

Sure, he mentioned it was a “mutual decision” for Zeke to not make the trip to Atlanta. But you know the players don’t like to be disciplined. And especially at this level. But the game’s the game. For Cowboys Nation, this is a first—a healthy scratch for one of their star players, and Elliott’s first in his career, no less.

See, the thing is, the decision is not out of the blue. Elliott’s reportedly been having a hard time staying punctual this season. And Friday’s missed meeting was the tipping point for McCarthy. I mean, the coaches have to set an example and Zeke provided the Cowboys HC with a perfect out in this case.

But that’s not it. Elliott has now missed three team meetings. And sources close to the team say this isn’t an isolated incident. So, to say the distractions have seemingly taken their toll would be an understatement. While McCarthy didn’t want to dive into details, the Cowboys’ outspoken owner Jerry Jones addressed the situation with the veteran running back in his usual manner.

Jones said via Jon Macota of The Athletic, “He was being punished. He just couldn’t make the trip. … Zeke really was the first one to recognize the discipline involved in meetings and those kinds of things.”

Surely, Jones and McCarthy did not expect they would have to show their pro football player the ‘Dos and Donts’ when there were already enough troubles for the Cowboys.

Ezekiel Elliott out, all eyes on…

Tough look for a guy who’s one of the top three rushers in Cowboys history, right? But it seems Ezekiel Elliott’s absence is not worrying the Cowboys—or at least, they’re not acting like it.

With Elliott staying behind, Dallas is sticking to their usual script. What’s that? Expect Dalvin Cook, recently called up from the practice squad, to step in and grab some carries alongside Rico Dowdle, who’s been the main back in recent games. Cook may be stepping into Zeke’s backup role, but the Cowboys aren’t exactly counting on a sudden burst of yardage.

Let’s be brutally honest here, shall we? Both Cook and Dowdle haven’t been lighting up the stat sheet. And given Dallas’s NFL-worst 3.4 yards per carry this season, it’s fair to ask if anyone in this backfield can make a splash. So, what’s on tap for Dowdle in Atlanta? Game flow will tell us a lot. See, we have been treated to some glimpses—like in that close call with the Steelers where he rushed 20 times. But glimpses won’t cut it. And in last week’s blowout loss to the Lions, we saw just that. 5 carries. Yikes.

So, if Dallas falls behind, expect to see more air time for Dak Prescott and fewer handoffs to Dowdle and crew. That’s where you keep your eyes peeled at Deuce Vaughn—active for just his sixth game this year. With seven carries on the season, he hasn’t been a major factor. But with Zeke out, there’s a chance he sneaks in a snap or two—though we’re not betting on it.

For the Cowboys Nation, the big question is: is this the beginning of the end for Zeke in Dallas? That’s up for debate. Certainly, you guys have not been pleased with his recent antics. But in the meantime, let’s see if Dowdle and Cook can literally cook or not. If the Cowboys want to get past this Falcons side (who are flying high), they’d want the duo to.