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Dallas Cowboys News
Let the Randy Gregory Hype Train commence. Gregory can return to game action Oct. 25 against Washington and is in his second week of practicing as he returns from suspension. “Randy was lights out there today,” Ezekiel Elliott said. “It was really tough to block him. I'm excited to get Randy back. He's got those fresh legs. He just looks better than I've ever seen him. I'm excited to see him back.”
Dak Prescott's absence will hurt the Cowboys, but Ezekiel Elliott has faith the offense can still perform at a high level with Andy Dalton. “Dak definitely is special,” he said. “He definitely is special but I think we have a lot of pieces in this offense and Andy's played at a high level in this league. I think we should still be one of the best offenses in the league.”
Ezekiel Elliott said he has visited with Dak Prescott every day since the quarterback got hurt. He said it is important the Cowboys keep close contact with Prescott. “We're dealing with COVID and we're already isolated as it is. Just for him to have that with the injury, to be out of his normal routine, to be able to leave the house and come see us, and now he can't even really move around with the ankle. I just think it's important that we all surround him and show him plenty of love.”
Leighton Vander Esch is going through his first full practice since the opening week of the season because of collarbone surgery. He was a limited participant last week and will be tested in Friday's full-padded practice. His return would be a boost. “Leighton is a key player as far as his responsibility of playing the (middle linebacker),” Mike McCarthy said. “I think it definitely hopefully gets us back in the way we were going into the Rams game.”
Mike McCarthy is not worried about Andy Dalton taking over as the starter because of his experience. His focus is making sure rookie Ben DiNucci is ready as the backup. “That's where the biggest preparation and change is going on,” he said. DiNucci will get snaps with the first-team in practice during the week in addition to running the scout team.