One day after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the accumulating off-field issues surrounding Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas coach Jason Garrett offered support for his star running back.
"I don't want to make any comment on the situation. We're still gathering information on what that situation was," Garrett said Wednesday, per NFL Network's Jane Slater. "Zeke's someone we believe very strongly in as a person and as a football player. We will continue to believe in him and try to put a structure around him and all of our players to help them make great decisions and grow."
Asked if he had spoken with Elliott, Garrett confirmed: "I have not."
Jones, though, talked with the running back this week and Garrett emphasized that he would "visit" with Elliott come Friday, when players report to training camp.
Elliott was involved in an incident at a Dallas bar late Sunday night, police confirmed Monday. No arrests were made and police have suspended their assault investigation due to the lack of a complaint and witnesses who have come forward.
It was revealed Tuesday that Elliott also appealed a misdemeanor conviction he received in April for driving 100 mph in a 70 mph zone in Frisco, Texas, per court records. He filed his appeal on Monday, July 17.
The second-year back is currently being investigated by the NFL for domestic violence allegations made by his former girlfriend in July 2016. Jones on Tuesday offered no update on the league's investigation.
Along with Elliott's off-field activities, Cowboys cornerback Nolan Carroll was charged with DWI in May before linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested this month on two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Responding to the club's offseason ups and downs, Garrett said: "You know, I have a little bit of a different perspective than most people about the character of our football team ... I think we've built our football team the right way, with the right kind of guys. And that doesn't mean that guys aren't going to make mistakes, whatever they are, in our building, outside of our building."
Said Garrett: "I think the most important thing for us to do is to continue to try and help everybody grow. And we all take responsibility for the actions of everybody both on and off the field. We're accountable for them."
