Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t be traveling with the team to Atlanta this weekend, marking a rare absence for the veteran playmaker due to disciplinary reasons. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Todd Archer were among the first to report that Elliott, a longtime leader in Dallas’s offense, won’t suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons. This development leaves the Cowboys scrambling to fill a significant gap in their lineup.

With Elliott out, the Cowboys have called up veteran Dalvin Cook from the practice squad for the second week in a row. Cook, who joined Dallas as a midseason reinforcement, had a modest showing in last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, managing just 12 yards on six carries.

However, with Elliott out of the rotation, Cook is likely to see more snaps, sharing responsibilities with Rico Dowdle. The Cowboys are hopeful that the pair can step up and give a boost to their struggling run game, which currently ranks dead last in the NFL with an average of only 74.1 rushing yards per game.

This lack of production on the ground comes at a time when Dallas’s offense could use a spark. Elliott has been a key red-zone contributor and reliable presence this season, racking up 149 yards on 48 carries and scoring two rushing touchdowns. His 3.1 yards-per-carry average might not be record-breaking, but his contributions have provided stability to a Dallas offense that has been otherwise inconsistent. Elliott’s absence will leave the Cowboys without one of their few consistent ground threats, putting added pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott and the receiving corps.

Can Cowboys survive without their lead back?

The Cowboys’ matchup against the Falcons presents an interesting test, as Atlanta’s defense ranks 21st against the run, allowing an average of 132.6 rushing yards per game. This potentially favorable matchup could be a golden opportunity for Cook and Dowdle to make an impact and help Dallas avoid becoming one-dimensional on offense. Cowboys fans will be watching closely to see if Cook, who had a quiet debut last week, can establish himself as a reliable option in Elliott’s absence.

To further bolster their lineup, Dallas has also elevated cornerback Josh Butler from the practice squad. With the Cowboys’ defense facing a dynamic Falcons offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, the added depth in the secondary could prove crucial. However, all eyes will be on how the Cowboys handle Elliott’s absence on offense. Dallas’s season could hinge on their ability to adapt to unforeseen changes, especially in the ground game.

Elliott, who has 9,053 career rushing yards across his nine NFL seasons, has been a constant for Dallas fans, so his absence will certainly be felt on Sunday. For Cowboys Nation, Sunday’s game isn’t just a battle against the Falcons-it’s a test of whether Dallas can find new answers without relying on one of their most familiar playmakers.