In his first season back with the Cowboys after a one-year stint with the New England Patriots, Elliott has been "distracted," NFL Network's Jane Slater reported Sunday. He's often tardy to practices and meetings, and he's missed three team meetings. His absence at Friday's meeting was apparently the "final straw."

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy cleared the air on why Ezekiel Elliott was a "healthy scratch" Sunday, but also explained his next role.