Emotional Zeke On Cowboys Return: 'Repping A Star'

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's return is nearly complete, with Week 1 coming into focus against the Cleveland Browns.

After a goodbye that tugged at the heartstrings last offseason, Elliott found his way to the New England Patriots, where he was serviceable in a poor offense.

But Dallas' pull meant that he returned to where it all began, and Zeke is ready to get back on the field as a Cowboy.

“It means a lot to be back here, you know, repping a star on my helmet, excited to get the season going,” Elliott said.

While Elliott's return to Dallas is good for the soul, so is the reunion with quarterback Dak Prescott.

Both were drafted in 2016 and have grown up together in the NFL. After a year apart from Zeke in New England, how is the pair's relationship now?

“I would just say our bond [has] grown stronger and stronger through the time, well eight years,” Elliott said. “Seem as like it was yesterday we got drafted but just everything we've been through all the highs all the lows, so I mean definitely just gotten stronger.”

Related: Dak From The Heart: Wants Super Bowl 'Here' With Cowboys

While Elliott might not be the rushing force he once was, he still holds value in the run game, especially in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

In a similar way to 2022 with Tony Pollard, Zeke will be splitting carries, but this time with Rico Dowdle and possibly Dalvin Cook as the Cowboys adopt a running back by committee approach for the season.

And while there are skeptics over what Zeke can do, there can be no denying what the organization and Dak mean to him.

"It's just home, Dallas is home," Elliott added.