Ezekiel Elliott Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Cowboys will be without RG Zack Martin for Thursday night's season opener at Tampa Bay. HC Mike McCarthy announced Sunday that Martin has tested positive for COVID. We'll see whether that also jeopardizes his availability for Week 2. Losing Martin figures to impact RB Ezekiel Elliott the most, from a fantasy standpoint. It's a particularly tough blow against a Bucs defense that has consistently ranked at or near the top of the league in run defense in recent seasons. Don't be surprised if we get a slow statistical start for Elliott. At the same time, we're not going to recommend immediately benching a RB you likely drafted in Round 1 -- unless you're loaded at the position. Check our full Week 1 rankings to see exactly where Elliott lands.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is down to 218 pounds, the lightest he's been as a pro. “I feel quicker," Elliott said on the 1st day of training camp on Thursday. Several Cowboys beat writers noted that Zeke looked slimmer and faster than last year. That jibes with what we heard from Elliott's trainer earlier this month. All signs are pointing to a big bounce-back 2021 season.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott's personal trainer believes he's "way quicker, way more elusive" than he was even a few months ago. "I don’t think Zeke has ever worked like this in the offseason," trainer Josh Hicks added. We thought Elliott looked sluggish at times last season, when he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry and ranked a middling 26th among 47 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus' Elusive Rating. So it's good to hear he's putting work in this offseason. “Zeke looks great,” QB Dak Prescott said. “He’s in the best shape of his life. Looking fast." With Prescott back and hopefully better health on the offensive line, Elliott is an obvious 2021 bounce-back candidate.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden is inactive for tonight's game against the Giants. He wasn't listed on the injury report, so it looks like he's a healthy scratch. Alfred Morris will serve as Ezekiel Elliott's backup tonight. He's not a fantasy option, of course. But it's now unclear who the Elliott handcuff is.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden took all 19 snaps with the 1st-team offense in Saturday night's preseason game. He carried 6 times for 28 yards, but the usage is what's important. McFadden is clearly locked in as Dallas' #2 RB -- and the lead back during Ezekiel Elliott's suspension. The Cowboys face a tough rushing schedule over their first 6 games, but volume and supporting cast will make McFadden a solid fantasy starter.

The Cowboys have re-signed RB Darren McFadden to a 1-year deal. A fractured elbow limited him to just 3 games last year, but it looks like he'll get another shot at Dallas' backup job. The Cowboys are reportedly looking to trade RB Alfred Morris. While McFadden is no threat to Ezekiel Elliott's workhorse role and won't be a standalone fantasy option, he'll be 1 of the highest-upside handcuffs in 2017 fantasy drafts.

Cowboys HC Jason Garrett confirmed to ESPN's Ed Werder that he won't rest starters in tonight's game against the Lions. Dallas has clinched the NFC's #1 seed and could limit or hold out some guys in the regular-season finale. But doing so tonight would mean 3 weeks off between games. QB Dak Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Dez Bryant and TE Jason Witten are all safe to use in Week 16 fantasy lineups.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden is "on schedule" to be ready for Week 1, according to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole. A scan of the elbow he broke in June came back "good." The missed training camp and preseason time still gives Alfred Morris a shot to win the #2 RB job behind Ezekiel Elliott, though. Both Morris and McFadden are only worth considering in deep fantasy leagues.