Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Game Delayed, Ezekiel Elliott Injury

Dallas Cowboys v Cleveland Browns / Jason Miller/GettyImages

Dallas Cowboys fans have been eagerly awaiting their team’s Sunday Night Football clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Acrisure Stadium officials have announced a weather delay “until further notice,” leaving fans to wait a little longer.

Along with the delay, the Cowboys may face a new concern: running back Ezekiel Elliott was spotted in the locker room appearing to struggle with a shoulder issue just before kickoff.

Game Delay Due to Severe Weather Conditions

Due to stormy conditions around Acrisure Stadium, officials announced that the game would be delayed until it is safe to play. The delay, though frustrating for fans, ensures that both players and spectators are kept safe. But the Cowboys might be in for a challenging game with the slippery field conditions. The stormy weather could impact visibility, ball handling, and footing on the field, adding an extra level of difficulty for the players.

Ezekiel Elliott Injury Concerns

While fans awaited updates on the weather delay, NBC’s Football Night in America caught some interesting footage from the Cowboys’ locker room. Quarterback Dak Prescott was seen listening to music, but Elliott appeared to be struggling to put on his shoulder pads, even stopping to grab his right shoulder with a look of discomfort.

Mystery Shoulder Injury?

It’s unclear what exactly is bothering Elliott, but the sight of him wincing as he tried to suit up raises questions. He briefly appeared on the Cowboys' injury report earlier this week for dehydration but wasn’t listed with any shoulder concerns. According to reports, he was a full participant in practice on Friday and was off the injury report by Saturday. Given the footage, fans and analysts alike are now wondering if Elliott may have sustained a shoulder injury while getting ready.

Dallas has a reputation for adhering to NFL injury reporting rules, so any unreported injury would be out of character. This could very well be a case of soreness or a minor tweak, but the video is likely to prompt questions during post-game interviews.

How Will the Cowboys Adjust Their Strategy?

Regardless of Elliott's condition, the Cowboys are expected to rely more on Rico Dowdle, who has emerged as the team's lead running back over the past few weeks. Elliott only carried the ball twice in last Thursday's win over the Giants, while Dowdle took on a larger role.

In tonight’s weather-impacted game, the Cowboys may also turn to Hunter Luepke if they decide to limit Elliott's carries. Luepke has seen limited action but could be a viable option, particularly in the slippery conditions, where fresh legs and strong ball security are critical.

Will Elliott Play Tonight?

As the Cowboys gear up for their postponed showdown with the Steelers, questions about Elliott’s status remain. He might still take the field, but his workload could be limited if he’s dealing with discomfort. With the potential for further updates after the game, Dallas fans will be watching closely for any news about Elliott’s mysterious injury.

Stay tuned for updates as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in what is shaping up to be an eventful night. From unpredictable weather delays to potential injury complications, this game has already brought plenty of suspense before the first snap.