Niner Noise
FanSided

The top question facing each NFL team entering 2017

ByPeter Panacy|
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is seen during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 12: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is seen during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys

How bad will running back Ezekiel Elliott’s pending suspension hurt?

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott faces a six-game suspension for off-field issues, and it’s turned into quite an ugly spectacle.

Sure, there’s a real chance this suspension is reduced. But it’s still probable Elliott misses as much as a quarter of the season.

The Cowboys lost some key components to their offensive line this offseason, namely left guard Ron Leary (free agency) and right tackle Doug Free (retired). A weakened line won’t help matters, and any potential Elliott absence puts Dallas’ offense on a bit of a hot seat.

Needless to say, Elliott drives the offense. And any elongated absence certainly puts Dallas into a worse situation.

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