Running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive as expected for Dallas at the Atlanta Falcons, leaving Rico Dowdle and Dalvin Cook to lead the struggling ground game as the Cowboys look to end a two-game losing streak.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t make the trip to Atlanta and will miss Sunday’s game for reasons the team didn’t disclose.

Dak Prescott threw a touchdown pass hours after agreeing to a four-year, $240 million contract with Dallas and the Cowboys’ defense roughed up Deshaun Watson in his return, throttling the Cleveland Browns 33-17 in their opener.

Free agent running back Dalvin Cook is set to join the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to a contract.

CeeDee Lamb is not reporting to training camp while he waits for a new contract, a person familiar with the All-Pro wide receiver’s decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Cowboys are reuniting with running back Ezekiel Elliott after agreeing to terms on a contract with the former two-time rushing champion.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed star outside linebacker T.

Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes, and the New England Patriots snapped a five-game skid while damaging the playoff hopes of the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 21-18 victory.

Mac Jones threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki with 12 seconds remaining to lift the New England Patriots to a 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills.

DaRon Bland returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown, Leighton Vander Esch scooped up a fumble for a score and the Dallas Cowboys blew out the New England Patriots 38-3.

Ezekiel Elliott is set for a Dallas homecoming when his New England Patriots visit the Cowboys.

A person familiar with the terms tells The Associated Press that three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots worth $4 million.

Tony Pollard is taking over as the lead running back for the Dallas Cowboys after the offseason departure of Ezekiel Elliott in a cost-cutting move.

DeAndre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook lead a list of accomplished players who are still available a week before several NFL teams open training camp.

Deion Sanders became the NFL draft’s first fashion icon by accessorizing a black and white track suit with loads of sparkling gold jewelry when he took the call from the Atlanta Falcons before they selected him fifth overall in the 1989 draft.

After a flurry of moves in the two days ahead of the official start of the NFL free agency period, Aaron Rodgers made the biggest news Wednesday by announcing his intention to play for the New York Jets.

The Dallas Cowboys are releasing two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott.

Dak Prescott threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns to Dalton Schultz as the Dallas Cowboys beat the banged-up and resting Tennessee Titans 27-13 for their sixth win in seven games.

Ezekiel Elliott scored the go-ahead touchdown with 41 seconds remaining, and the Dallas Cowboys avoided a major upset with a 27-23 victory over the hapless Houston Texans.

Malik Hooker returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown against his former team in a 33-point fourth quarter for Dallas, propelling the Cowboys to a 54-19 rout of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Dallas Cowboys tight ends played their own live version of Whac-A-Mole.

Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes to tight end Dalton Schultz, Ezekiel Elliott ran for a score and the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 28-20.

The Dallas Cowboys sacked Kirk Cousins a career-most seven times in a 40-3 victory over Minnesota.

The Green Bay Packers stopped a five-game skid with a 31-28 win over former coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott won’t play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Micah Parsons returned a fumble for his first NFL score and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Chicago Bears 49-29.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for two 1-yard touchdowns and Dak Prescott threw for a score in his return from injury while the Dallas Cowboys leaned on their defense again in a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Can we finally start Tony Pollard.

Jalen Hurts threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns, C.

DeMarcus Lawrence returned a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown on the Rams’ opening drive, and Cooper Rush remained unbeaten as the Dallas Cowboys’ fill-in starter despite passing for just 102 yards in a 22-10 victory over Los Angeles.

CeeDee Lamb made a one-handed touchdown catch with 8:30 to play to cap a go-ahead drive, and the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 23-16.

Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for 11 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas when he played for Houston.

The NFL Players Association has filed a brief replying to the league’s appeal in Deshaun Watson’s discipline case.

The NFL insisted on an indefinite suspension while Deshaun Watson’s legal team argued there’s no basis for that punishment as both sides presented their cases in front of a retired judge in Delaware on Tuesday, two people in attendance told The Associated Press.

The Cleveland Browns and football fans everywhere are waiting for the NFL to determine an appropriate penalty for star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is accused of sexual misconduct by 24 women.

Don Perkins, a six-time Pro Bowl running back with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s, has died.

The Dallas Cowboys say former running back Marion Barber III has died.

The biggest day on the NFL calendar for social media departments at the 32 teams isn’t a game, the draft or the start of free agency.

A resolution to the NFL’s investigation into Deshaun Watson’s conduct could take some time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday.

Kenneth Walker III believes NFL scouts may be shortchanging this year’s running backs contingent.

Dak Prescott threw a career-high five touchdown passes against Philadelphia Eagles backups, Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz each had two scoring catches and the Dallas Cowboys kept their slim hopes for a No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs alive with a 51-26 victory.

Kyler Murray threw two touchdown passes to Antoine Wesley and the Arizona Cardinals held on to beat the Dallas Cowboys 25-22 in a matchup of playoff-bound teams.

Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes, DeMarcus Lawrence returned an interception for a score and the Dallas Cowboys routed Washington 56-14.

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence forced a fumble and made two other big plays that led to touchdowns.

The Dallas Cowboys made good on coach Mike McCarthy’s guarantee by holding on to beat Washington 27-20 and snap their rival’s winning streak at four.

The visiting sideline at Washington has a familiar home look for the Dallas Cowboys.

Josh Allen has almost single-handedly carried Buffalo to overtime against Tampa Bay.

The Dallas Cowboys are still in control of the NFC East after woeful November trip through the AFC West.

Daniel Carlson kicked a 29-yard field goal in overtime after Anthony Brown’s fourth pass-interference penalty kept the drive alive, and the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Dallas Cowboys 36-33 on Thursday.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran for 63 yards and a touchdown in his return from injured reserve as the Chiefs beat the Cowboys 19-9.

It was another blowout-filled weekend in the NFL, only this time several of the teams on the losing end were teams near the top of the standings.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have answered their worst showing of the season with a 43-3 blowout of Atlanta.

Teddy Bridgewater threw for a touchdown and had a sneak for another, and the Denver Broncos stymied the NFL’s No. 1 offense when it mattered in a 30-16 victory over Dallas.

Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes the day before the one-year anniversary of his severe ankle injury in the same stadium against the same opponent, and the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 44-20.

Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns in his first home game since he suffered an ankle injury on the same field almost a year ago, Trevon Diggs returned an interception 59 yards for a score and the Dallas Cowboys dominated the Philadelphia Eagles 41-21.

No. 11 Florida has successfully transformed its offense from a finesse passing attack into a formidable ground game.

Greg Zuerlein connected on a 56-yard field goal as time expired to give the Dallas Cowboys a 20-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The NFL has the first 14-11 halftime score in its 102 seasons.

Lofty expectations don’t faze Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Dallas Cowboys are still losing ground in a COVID-19 outbreak that was discovered just 90 minutes before their most recent preseason game.

The NFL has informed teams they could potentially forfeit a game because of a COVID-19 outbreak among nonvaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn’t get paid that week.

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)Fans looking for pregame entertainment before the Super Bowl will have another option this year. Shaquille O'Neal will be holding the virtual SHAQ Bowl on Feb. 7. It's one of the few events taking place in Tampa, Florida, since many parties that traditionally take place during Super Bowl week have been canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The SHAQ Bowl takes the place of Shaq's Fun House, which had been held the past two years in Atlanta and Miami. The SHAQ Bowl also has its own halftime show with Migos and DJ Diesel performing.

Wentz was paid more than $39 million in cash this season and had a cap hit of $18.6 million. The Eagles now have to decide what to do with Wentz, who has a cap hit of more than $34 million next season. RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT: The Cowboys gave Elliott a $90 million, six-year extension before reaching a deal with quarterback Dak Prescott. Elliott is coming off the least productive season of his career with 979 yards and six TDs while getting paid nearly $11 million for a team that finished 6-10. But Green had just 47 catches for 523 yards in 16 games, providing little value for his big salary.

New York’s postseason chances hinged on Philadelphia beating Washington later Sunday, but the Eagles flopped in a 20-14 loss. Hardly how first-year coach Joe Judge planned it, but there were no complaints about extending the season for at least a few more hours. Limited to 26 points over its previous three games, the Giants’ 31st-ranked offense busted out with 239 yards and 20 points in the first half. Giants: Williams had seven tackles, three sacks and hit the quarterback five times. Giants: LB Blake Martinez left the game briefly after appearing to injure his left ankle or foot in the third quarter.

11, where Clemson coach Dabo Swinney placed Ohio State on his ballot in the final regular-season coaches' poll. 3 Ohio State buried the second-ranked Tigers 49-28 in the Sugar Bowl semifinal Friday night. Ohio State beat the Crimson Tide in the semifinals on the way to the 2014 national championship. “This performance by this team I hope will go down in Ohio State history as a landmark victory,” Day said. Ohio State did not give details about their absences, but all four had played in the Big Ten championship two weeks ago.

“We win this game, find a way to win, win the division. He's assured of repeating as NFL rushing champ, the first since Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006-07. Henry has a career-high 1,777 yards rushing and ran for 212 yards in his most recent game against the Texans. Ezekiel Elliott, despite a mediocre performance in 2020, needs 63 yards rushing for 1,000 this season, his fourth such output in five seasons. Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (4-10-1)During their four-game winning streak, the Ravens have averaged 37 points and 233.3 yards rushing per game.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) celebrate a touchdown catch by Lamb in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ARLINGTON, Texas – Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns, two to Michael Gallup, and the Dallas Cowboys stayed alive in the playoff race with a 37-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Dallas can overtake Washington (6-9) with a win at the New York Giants and a Washington loss to the Eagles on the final weekend of the regular season. The Giants (5-10) can get in by beating the Cowboys if Washington loses. UP NEXTPhiladelphia has Dallas' fate in its hands at home against Washington in the regular-season finale.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)BALTIMORE – Back in action after a 15-day layoff, Lamar Jackson directed a relentless rushing attack that the Baltimore Ravens hope will be the first big step in a run to the playoffs. The Ravens averaged 7.9 yards per carry and prevailed despite getting only 107 yards passing from Jackson. That led to a Dallas field goal, but Jackson answered with a 37-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-2 play. Tony Pollard took the subsequent kickoff 66 yards to set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to Michael Gallup. An interception by Queen set up a 38-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Miles Boykin for a 14-10 lead.

Midway through the 2020 season, performance has altered perception all around the NFL. Here’s a look at who’s up and who’s down:UPDALVIN COOK: While running backs have generally been devalued during this pass-happy era, Cook is showing the impact a big-play back can make. He leads the NFL with 858 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing one game with an injury. He’s the first NFL player with at least 50 catches, 600 yards receiving and eight touchdown receptions over his first six games of a season. Evans has been a productive threat near the end zone with seven TD catches, but six of those have come on passes from inside the 10.

Arizona Cardinals' Kyler Murray celebrates running the ball for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas – Maybe Kyler Murray will lose a game on the home field of the Dallas Cowboys one of these days. Murray accounted for three touchdowns in his first game back home as a pro, Ezekiel Elliott set up the visiting team's first two TDs with fumbles and the Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 38-10 on Monday night. Kenyan Drake scored from the 1 after the second Elliott miscue, while Murray added a 1-yard TD run. Cowboys: Washington on Sunday in the first of two consecutive road games against NFC East opponents.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, looks off as first responders and team medical personnel assist Prescott after he suffered a lower right leg injury running the ball against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, right, looks off as first responders and team medical personnel assist Prescott after he suffered a lower right leg injury running the ball against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas – After Dak Prescott's season ended on a gruesome ankle injury, his running mate for all five of their seasons with the Dallas Cowboys had a hard time getting through the post-game interview. Prescott reached for the leg as he writhed in pain, and TV images showed his right foot bent at an awkward angle away from his leg. Three of Graham Gano's four field goals were from at least 50 yards for the Giants, from 55, 50 and 54. Cowboys: DT Trysten Hill was carted off with a right knee on New York's first drive of the second half.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates on the field after their 49-38 win against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. Mayfield threw for two touchdowns, including one set up when Garrett had a strip sack in a third straight game, and Beckham scored three times and the Cleveland Browns held on to beat the Dallas Cowboys 49-38 on Sunday. Dallas is the first team since Oakland in 2012 to allow at least 38 points in three straight games in the same season. Cowboys: C Joe Looney injured his right knee on the first offensive play of the game and didn't return. Cowboys: New York Giants in second of three straight home games next Sunday.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)The Latest on Week 2 in the NFL (all times EDT):___8:55 p.m.Seattle safety Quandre Diggs was ejected late in the first quarter Sunday night for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New England’s N’Keal Harry. Multiple flags were thrown and after a few minutes of deliberation, referee Craig Wrolstad announced Diggs had been ejected. Watkins made an 11-yard catch to convert a third down when Desmond King started to bring him down and Denzel Perryman landed a helmet-to-helmet hit. San Francisco lost both defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to left knee injuries earlier in the game. Brady struggled in an 11-point loss to New Orleans in his first NFL game not in a New England Patriots uniform.

Dak Prescott passed for 266 yards and a touchdown, but Dallas managed three points on its six drives in the second half. The opening of Rams owner Stan Kroenke's $5 billion stadium project was a historic night for the Los Angeles area, albeit one that should have been much more festive. Elliott tied it early in the second quarter with a 19-yard TD catch during which he ran through most of the Los Angeles defense. Van Jefferson's first career reception was a beautiful 31-yard grab in the second quarter, but it was the promising Rams rookie's only reception. Right tackle Cam Erving and tight end Blake Jarwin both didn't return from knee injuries in the second quarter.

Monday was his first day on the Atlanta Falcons' practice fields, and he was upbeat about adjusting to new teammates, new coaches and his new playbook for the start of training camp. First of all, none of yall told me happy birthday yet, so Im kind of upset with you, Gurley said. Gurley was the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, and his 58 rushing touchdowns since his 2015 debut lead the league. The Falcons are counting on Gurley to join quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones as the leaders of the offense. I feel like theyve been doing a pretty good job with that and today it started good, Gurley said.

Dak Prescott plans to be at training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, if and when it starts, on the richest one-year contract in franchise history. Prescott signed his $31.4 million tender under the franchise tag Monday. By signing the offer under the franchise tag, Prescott is obligated to report for all team activities or risk being fined. The two-time Pro Bowler started his rookie season third on the depth chart after getting drafted in the fourth round out of Mississippi State. Despite missing the playoffs again last season, Prescott had career bests with 4,902 yards passing and 30 touchdowns.

FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to his agent. Rocky Arceneaux told the NFL Network on Monday that Elliott was feeling OK and recovering. Arceneaux did not immediately return messages seeking comment, but a person with direct knowledge of the diagnosis told The Associated Press that Elliott had the positive test about a week ago and could be described as symptomatic. Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first to publicly acknowledge a positive test, on April 15. The 24-year-old Elliott has led the NFL in rushing twice in his first four seasons.

(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)The Latest on the May 25 death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck:TOP OF THE HOUR: Australians rally, draw parallels to inequality in U.S. Protesters take to New York City streets after curfew, again. Protesters in South Korea condemn what they described as U.S. police brutality toward demonstrators. ___CANBERRA, Australia -- Thousands gathered in Australias capital on Friday to remind citizens that the racial inequality underscored by George Floyds death was not unique to the United States. ___NEW YORK -- Protesters stayed on the streets of New York City after curfew for another day Thursday, spurred by the death of George Floyd. ___WASHINGTON Protests in the nations capital over George Floyds death broke up before dark Thursday as a heavy rain began to fall.

NEW YORK NEW YORK (AP) Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley and Michael Thomas are among more than a dozen NFL stars who united to send a passionate video message to the league about racial inequality. The players then name several of the black men and women who have recently been killed, including Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Eric Garner. I AM George Floyd, Hopkins says. ... We, the National Football League, admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. ... We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL