Cowboys name Ezekiel Elliott starting RB, but he probably won't be a bell cow

The Dallas Cowboys have listed Ezekiel Elliott as their starting running back, but that may be in name only. 

On Wednesday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed he approved of naming Elliott RB1 but signaled he will split carries this season.

"Let's be honest, you just don't play with 11 on offense and defense. We have 14 guys we consider starters [on both sides of the ball]," McCarthy said, per Patrik Walker of the team website. "It'll take more than one RB. Those guys will all play."

RB Rico Dowdle, a former undrafted free agent, is listed as the team's RB2. In a Monday column, The Athletic's Jon Machota noted that the South Carolina product "should be the favorite to lead the Cowboys in rushing attempts and rushing yards this season."

Dowdle has only rushed for 385 yards and two touchdowns on 96 carries in three seasons with the Cowboys. However, he told Machota he expects an increased workload this season, so his numbers may improve.

Former first-team All-Pro Elliott may be past his prime. In 17 games with the New England Patriots last season, he recorded career lows in carries (184), rushing yards (642) and rushing TDs (three).  

RB Dalvin Cook, who Dallas recently signed, is still on the practice squad. According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys can elevate the ex-Minnesota Vikings star to the gameday roster three times before they would have to place him on the 53-man roster.

Dividing the workload between Dowdle and Elliott seems like Dallas' best move. The Cowboys lost former Pro Bowl RB Tony Pollard (Titans) in free agency and still don't have a clear replacement.