Ezekiel Elliott discipline is latest drama in Cowboys' spiraling season

Another day, another blast of drama for the Dallas Cowboys.

This time, it's Ezekiel Elliott.

The veteran running back did not make the trip to Atlanta with the team, deactivated as a disciplinary measure after Elliott missed or was late to several meetings in recent weeks, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person did not want to be identified because the deactivation is described as a "coach's decision."

Apparently, the final straw came on Friday when Elliott missed a team meeting.

"Zeke couldn't make the trip," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on the pregame show for the team's radio network. "He was being punished. I know Zeke is the first to recognize the discipline involved in meetings."

Losing Elliott for Sunday – or possibly a longer stretch – is hardly the type of significant setback it would have been when he was in his heyday. Elliott, 29, is averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry this season, when he has primarily come off the bench and played a limited number of snaps. Through Week 8, Elliott logged 48 rushes for 149 yards, with 2 TDs.

With Dalvin Cook activated for a second consecutive game and starter Rico Dowdle back after missing last week's loss at San Francisco due to an illness, Elliott's reps figured to be limited again. Earlier this season, the ninth-year veteran expressed frustration with his role to coaches.

Now there's another layer of frustration as Elliott was said to not take the news well that he was to be deactivated on Sunday.

Would the Cowboys deal Elliott before the trade deadline on Tuesday?

The team isn't looking to trade Elliott, but also isn't expecting any calls from teams seeking to add the aging running back.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ezekiel Elliott discipline: Cowboys deactivate RB for meetings issues