Should you pivot off Ezekiel Elliott vs. Steelers?

Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys may have a tough time vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ezekiel Elliott tweaked his hamstring in the Dallas Cowboys‘ road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week. For so many reasons, the Cowboys have emerged as one of the worst teams in football this year. We have no idea what “America’s Team” is going to do at the quarterback position going forward. All we know is they face certain defeat at home vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.

The Fantasy Footballers suggest the idea of possibly pivoting off Elliott this week vs. Pittsburgh. Jason Moore let it be known he views Elliott as an RB2 this year, which some of you might be holding out on the truth Moore unceremoniously uncovered for you. Though you could go with Tony Pollard on Sunday, it might serve you to see what you have chilling on your bench in Week 9.

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The logic behind Moore, Andy Holloway and Mike Wright contemplating benching Elliott this week makes some sense if you really think about it. Pittsburgh might be the best team in football and that defense is menacing. When the Steelers do give up plays on the ground, they are of the explosive variety. Elliott is more of a playmaker that picks up eight yards after eight yards.

This might be a game to see what Tony Pollard can do vs. Pittsburgh

Add in him dealing with a hamstring injury and him being essentially a game-time decision at this point, there is reason to be skeptical about him having success vs. the Steelers on Sunday. If you have the handcuff of Pollard, you may want to start him over Elliott. However, this does not feel like a game the Cowboys will be doing a ton of running in, as they will be playing from behind.

So do you start Elliott or not if he is active for this late afternoon game vs. the Steelers? If you are in dire straits when it comes to running back depth, you may have to bite the bullet and take your lumps in this game. If you have a more favorable matchup with another guy you could start over him, especially in the early window, you need to consider that. Is pivoting the right call here?

Let’s be real. If there was ever a week to not start Elliott, this would be the one. He may be able to hold his own in PPR leagues with a few grabs out of the backfield. However, a fumble might wreck any semblance of a good fantasy day for him. If you need Elliott to come up big for you in the RB2 this week, do not count on it. Hamstrings are finicky injuries, so you have been officially warned.