Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott back at Cowboys practice for first time in 2 weeks

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:27 p.m. ET

Andre Vergara

Dallas Cowboys fans got great news on the offensive line last weekend, and Tuesday brought the return of the guy that line will be opening up holes for.

Ezekiel Elliott returned to practice for the first time in two weeks, putting on pads and going through individual drills.

"Everything felt good. Hammy didn't tighten up or anything so I feel ready to go," Elliott told reporters afterward.

Elliott sat out Saturday's preseason opener while nursing a hamstring injury, and it appears he won't be rushed into his preseason debut.

"I feel like I have missed a lot of reps but I wouldn't say, you know, that's going to hurt me or anything," he said. "I've been doing a good job paying attention and making sure I'm studying the playbook and kind of going along with the team and doing whatever I can.

"I think I'll be back next week, full speed," he added.

As David Moore of the Dallas Morning News points out, Todd Gurley missed all of training camp and the Rams' first two games last season and still finished with 1,106 rushing yards. So the Cowboys can take their time getting Elliott healthy and not worry that he needs more practice.

But make no mistake, Elliott wants some preseason action.

"I need to get some game reps so I can, you know, be ready for Week 1," he said. "You know, it's kind of different going out here and going live. I haven't had any live settings yet since I played in college, so I think I need to get some of those reps."

The Cowboys took the Ohio State running back with the 15th pick in this year's draft after their running attack dipped to ninth in rushing yards (1,890) and 21st in rushing TDs (8) last season.