Jerry Jones defends Ezekiel Elliott, says RB wasn't only Cowboys player who loafed on interception

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones came to the defense of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was widely criticized for his lack of effort following a Dak Prescott interception in the team's 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. 

Jones felt Elliott wasn't the only player whose effort was lacking after the turnover.

"I think if you look at everybody's reaction to that interception, certainly on that interception, if you really look at several Dallas Cowboys players on that interception you saw what would not be the case in a closely contested ball game," Jones said during an interview on CBS Radio's 105.3 the Fan in Dallas. "I think you can point to Zeke, but you really have to look at the general effort to chase that ball down by most of the people that were on the field. Dak now, of course, gave it everything he had to try to contain that interception, but still you look at it across the board and you'll see that you need more effort than what you see."

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Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, on the other hand, voiced his displeasure with Elliott's effort on several plays against the Broncos. 

"One of the things we preach to our team on both sides of the ball when there is a turnover, everybody is involved," Garrett said. "If you're an offensive player, become a defensive player on a fumble or an interception. Zeke is one of the most natural competitors I've ever been around. He loves to play. He loves to practice. I think we've seen that through his first year playing. Those two plays were not indicative of the kind of competitor that he was and we have to get that addressed."

Hall of Famer and former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Elliott "absolutely quit on his team."

Elliott's status for 2017 remains uncertain, with a six-game suspension dealt by the NFL on hold as the players' union and league clash in court. 

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