Ezekiel Elliott has quietly expressed his plan to holdout if he doesn't receive a new contract from the Cowboys.
The two-time Pro Bowl running back still has two years left on his rookie deal after the team exercised his fifth-year option, but wants some reassurance. However, Dallas has expressed re-signing Elliott is not a top priority as the Cowboys try to work out deals with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper, as both will be free agents next year.
This may cause Elliott to take action.
According to a report from ProFootballTalk, which cited unidentified league sources, "Elliott has privately said that he will hold out of training camp."
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones has previously indicated they won't rush to sign the star.
"Well, I think those are all a work in progress," Jones said in early May. "Certainly we've got a couple years there with Zeke to get that done. We certainly want to get him done.
"He's the straw, if you will, that stirs our drink. He's a key part of what we're about. Those things take time to get done. They don't happen overnight. Certainly, he's a priority in terms of ultimately getting him signed. There hasn't really been a timetable put on this."
Elliott handled a bulk of the workload for the team last season and earned his second rushing title in three years after he racked up 1,434 yards and six touchdowns on a league-high 304 carries.
He also had 77 receptions for three scores and 567 yards.
The All-Pro selection, who has spent his entire career with the Cowboys after being selected fourth overall in the 2016 draft, has compiled 4,048 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns in his first three seasons.