FRISCO — Ezekiel Elliott has been used in pass protection more than any other NFL running back this season.
And it’s not close.
In the first five games, the Cowboys running back was assigned to pass block on 46 snaps. The Las Vegas Raiders' Josh Jacobs and Miami Dolphins' Myles Gaskin are tied for the second most with 30, according to Pro Football Focus. Elliott’s workload dwarfs the field by more than 50%.
So, Elliott is uniquely qualified to evaluate how Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is progressing in practice.
“Randy was lights out, out there today,” Elliott said Thursday. “It was really tough to block him. I’m excited to get Randy back. He’s got those fresh legs. He just looks better than I’ve ever seen him. I’m excited to see him back.”
Gregory has not appeared in a game since Jan. 12, 2019. Evidently, he is getting close. The 2015 second-round pick was conditionally reinstated from suspension in September, began practicing on Oct. 7 and is first eligible to play a game Oct. 25 at Washington.
He is part of a larger cavalry that is coming.
Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who fractured his collarbone in the first quarter of the first game, is expected to return no later than Oct. 25. He has a chance to play Monday night against the Arizona Cardinals. Vander Esch was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. Friday’s session in pads will provide the best litmus test for whether he returns vs. Arizona or in the following game.
Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) is nearing a return, too. He seems to be closer than linebacker Sean Lee, who underwent sports hernia surgery in September. Both did rehab work on a side field at the start of Thursday’s practice. Last Sunday, cornerback Anthony Brown (ribs) returned from injured reserve and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a win over the New York Giants.
Gregory, 27, has faced multiple suspensions in his career for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Right guard Zack Martin said he looked good on Thursday.
“He looked fast,” Martin added. “He looked quick, kind of the same twitchy guy that we know Randy is. But I think the big thing for him, just physically looking at him, he looks bigger and stronger, and when you can add that to his first step and his twitchiness, I think he will be able to help us a lot.”
Briefly: Defensive end Everson Griffen was the only player on the Cowboys' 53-man roster who was unexpectedly absent Thursday. He missed practice for non-injury related reasons, according to the injury report. … Dallas practiced with only two quarterbacks for the first time in 2020. Garrett Gilbert, signed Tuesday off the Cleveland Browns' practice squad, must complete a six-day COVID-19 testing period before joining the team. …
Martin said that he’s seen more similarities between center Tyler Biadasz and retired center Travis Frederick beyond their alma mater. “I used to always give Trav crap because he used to wear cargo shorts everywhere,” Martin said. “On one of the first days, Tyler rolled in in cargo shorts. So it must be a Wisconsin O-line thing.” … The first five minutes of Thursday’s team meeting were spent reviewing the league’s latest COVID-19 policies, coach Mike McCarthy said. No Cowboys player has been diagnosed with the virus since July 31. “Knock on wood, our guys have done an excellent job with it to date,” McCarthy said. “The goal is to continue to have the results that we’ve had so far.”
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