Ezekiel Elliott puts Cowboys on top with TD vs. 49ers

SANTA CLARA -- The last time Ezekiel Elliott played at Levi's Stadium for the Cowboys he lined up at center on the final play of the 2022 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It did not go well.

On Sunday, serving as the starting running back with leading rusher Rico Dowdle ill, Elliott gave the Cowboys a 7-3 lead with 10:58 left in the second quarter with a 1-yard run that looked like a vintage Elliott touchdown.

The play capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that saw Elliott pick up a first down on a season-long 11-yard run. It was his longest run since a 12-yard gain in Week 14 last year against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he was with the New England Patriots.

Elliott had 10 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win against the Cleveland Browns, but he has not had more than eight carries of 19 yards in a game since. Before tonight anyway. After his touchdown run, he has six carries for 29 yards.