In the first week of Cowboys’ organized team activities (OTAs), veteran running back Darren McFadden took the first team reps at running back. In the second week, McFadden was absent from practice for personal reasons, and first round pick Ezekiel Elliott took the first team reps.
This week, the No. 4 overall pick and the veteran (who was actually the No. 4 overall pick back in 2008) split carries with the first team.
Aside from their belief that Elliott earned the first team reps he’s getting with McFadden back, the team wants to get Elliott well acquainted with quarterback Tony Romo.
“We want him to get a feel for being in there with Tony. He has worked and earned it,” said Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “So we are giving him an opportunity to do that. He has to keep working. He is not there yet, but we’ve got to keep going. I’m happy with his progress.”
