FRISCO, Texas _ Coach Jason Garrett said the Dallas Cowboys have been planning on having running back Ezekiel Elliott for Sunday's season opener against the New York Giants all along.
Cornerback Orlando Scandrick said he never expected Elliott not to be available.
It's one thing to be confident and approach Elliott's delicate situation with a positive attitude, but it's another thing to know that he will definitely play Sunday.
Elliott was cleared to play because of Tuesday's delay in the decision of his appeal of his six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
"I didn't know either way," tight end Jason Witten admitted. "But I'm fired up that he is playing."
Quarterback Dak Prescott said he was focused on getting ready for the game regardless of who was playing.
Now that he knows Elliott is will be out there for the opener, the excitement was palpable in the locker room and on the practice field.
"It's good," Prescott said. "He gets to play this week. We're excited for it as we were preparing for any running back to go in there. Those other guys were ready. He had a great practice today and he's been great all week, so we're excited."
This might be Elliott's last game until Nov. 5. NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson affirmed his six-game suspension, but a federal judge will decide on Friday whether to grant a temporary restraining order blocking the suspension until the case is heard.
"Again, we talk to him every day," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "His focus has been excellent throughout the entire process. Again, he seems very focused, locked in on meetings, the walk-through. He's done an excellent job in his preparation."
Prescott said Elliott has done a good job of putting the suspension questions behind him.
"I guess I can just remind him of the reason why he's so good," Prescott said. "The moment he walks in here, he's locked in and football is the only thing on his mind. I can tell you when he's in here and he's in this locker room or he's at practice or in that film room, none of the outside world is going through his head. Just remind him of that and stay focused."
