**Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott Frustrated with Limited Usage, Jerry Jones Responds**

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has expressed his concerns over his limited use this season, sparking discussions among fans and analysts. With just 30 carries over the first five weeks, Elliott's reduced role has been notable. He reportedly voiced his confusion and dissatisfaction to the Cowboys, leading to public interest in the team's strategy.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded to Elliott's sentiments during a Friday interview, disagreeing with the characterization of Elliott being "dumbfounded" by the team's plan. Jones emphasized that the description misrepresented Elliott's true feelings, insisting that the running back is well aware of his role within the team's offense.

Jones elaborated that the decision to limit Elliott's carries is strategic. "Dumbfounded is an exaggeration, a mischaracterization. It's a bad description of how he feels about things. He's very much aware of the part of the running game that he's involved with," Jones said. The team aims to preserve Elliott, highlighting his injury history as a factor in this approach. "We're saving him and we should be. Zeke is there, he will be there, because we want to protect him during this particular time."

While Elliott's reduced workload is part of a long-term strategy to keep him fresh and available, Jones did acknowledge the importance of immediate performance. Without winning games in the present, the potential for meaningful late-season matchups diminishes. Balancing Elliott's preservation with the team's immediate needs remains a critical consideration for the Cowboys moving forward.