With Ronald Jones suspended, will the Dallas Cowboys bring back Ezekiel Elliott?

With running back Ronald Jones suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the league policy on performance enhancing drugs, why aren’t the Dallas Cowboys looking to bring back two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott?

Jones signed in March after the team released Elliott for salary cap reasons and because of his declining production. The Jones addition was intended to give the Cowboys a veteran option behind elevated starter Tony Pollard.

Elliott, who visited the New England Patriots on Saturday but remains unsigned, could seemingly fill that void.

It’s an option that the Cowboys are not considering right now as coach Mike McCarthy says the team doesn’t want Elliott to take reps away from the young backs like Malik Davis, Rico Dowdle and rookie sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn.

McCarthy wants to those three to play in games and continue to develop.

McCarthy also said other things like the salary cap, the makeup of the running back room and the the team also factor into the decision.

McCarthy said it’s not personal against Elliott.

“This wasn’t easy for anybody,” McCarthy said of moving on from Elliott. “This is about the bigger picture. It goes well beyond just the running back room. It’s how you fit it together. There’s there’s a financial projection that that’s involved in a lot of these decisions.

“This is the roster that we’ve put together and it’s my job is to make sure I develop it at all times. More apparently get trained here to go win games.”

Owner Jerry Jones said however that he’s always open to options, including those involving Elliott.

“I’ve been very consistent.,” Jones said. “We’re just kind of see how it plays and we’re certainly haven’t closed the door. I wouldn’t know right now, what adjustments we might make, but just working ahead I don’t want to rule it out.”

Ronald Jones says he’s not a cheater

Ronald Jones is allowed the practice with the Cowboys and play in preseason before his suspension starts with the first regular season game.

He took time after practice Tuesday to attempt to explain how he get in this situation, ruining what was a homecoming of sorts for the former star at McKinney North High School.

“I just want to say that it was something I was prescribed by a doctor,” Ronald Jones said. “It wasn’t any steroids anything to enhance my game. I’m responsible for whatever I put my body. But it was medicine prescribed by a doctor. It’s not going to happen again.”

Jones said he has been aware the failed test since the end of last season. He appealed the suspension but was denied.

Jones declined to reveal what he took. But he said it was medicine he has used throughout his career and it was for heart health. He has heart issues in his family.

“People can say what they want, but I’ve never cheated the game of football,” Jones said. “I think there needs to be more protection for the players because if you have health issues. . . we’re human beings outside of football. My family suffers from heart disease and things like that.

“This is a big setback not being out there with my teammates.”