Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott explains why he believes he doesn't need to play in the preseason

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The Cowboys will play their first preseason game of 2022 on Aug. 13, but don't expect to see Ezekiel Elliott when they take the field.

In fact, if Elliott has his way, he'll sit out all three of Dallas' preseason games. He announced that desire Wednesday during a media scrum, citing his time in the league. He feels he has done enough to earn the rest.

"I've been playing football 20 years. This is my seventh year (in the NFL). I've seen a lot of football," Elliott said. "I don't think I need a preseason game, especially with (Dallas') joint practices (with the Broncos and Chargers, the Cowboys' first two preseason opponents)."

Elliott played in all 17 games in 2021 and secured the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career. 

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His plan makes sense in many ways. In addition to being a 1,000-yard rusher, Elliott is one of the league's elite pass-blocking running backs. That role can be punishing, especially for someone like Elliott, who can pancake pass-rushers.

Elliott is readying himself to split carries again with Tony Pollard, who paired explosiveness with soft hands last season to emerge as one of the best young runners in the league.

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Pollard averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 8.7 yards per reception in 2021. That put him in elite company among dual-threat running backs.

In addition to having the skills needed to be one of the game's best running backs, Pollard is two years younger than Elliott (25 vs. 27) and is on a lower-cost contract.

If Elliott's comments are any indication, he and Pollard won't be on the field together until the regular season.

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David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.