Ezekiel Elliott never lobbied publicly for a few snaps once the Dallas Cow

boys decided to sit their healthy star running back for the entire preseason.Frank Gore actually got two plays with the Miami Dolphins Discount David Edwards Jersey , and the 35-year-old going into his 14th season wanted more. Coach Adam Gase wouldn't have it."I heard about it during the game that he wasn't real happy," Gase said after the third preseason game, when starters usually get their most action before sitting in the finale. "When we went three-and-out, I'm kind of going, 'You got a catch, so does this count? He has a carry and a catch. Can I get him out of the game?'"Sending able-bodied starters into the regular season without a game-speed snap isn't all that unusual, nor is the inevitable hand-wringing and second-guessing every time an important player gets injured in an exhibition.It's all part of the age-old balance of getting players ready for that first big hit or full-speed burst while protecting important pieces of Super Bowl hopes. The regular season starts Thursday night with Atlanta visiting defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia."It's kind of hard to say you shouldn't or should play in them," said Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley, who nursed a sore groin most of training camp but got 13 snaps in Dallas' third preseason game. "You can get hurt in a regular-season game just like those. It's just football, man. It happens."Several teams rested at least one offensive starter throughout the preseason. The Los Angeles Rams didn't play 10 of their 11, the exception being right guard Jamon Brown because he will be suspended for the first two games and needed extra work.While Sean McVay preferred to get third-year quarterback Jared Goff some playing time, he didn't want it to be behind backup offensive linemen because it was more important to the coach to rest the veteran starters up front.Plus, McVay is counting on familiarity with 10 returning starters, including running back Todd Gurley , from a unit that led the Rams to the playoffs last season."I've been around a lot of players that have gone through preseasons where they haven't played and seemed like they were ready to go," McVay said. "I think the reason that we felt like this was best was because of the continuity that we did have Austin Blythe Jersey , specific to the offense."Coaches who sit healthy stars in the preseason will say they believe their practice tempo gets them ready. Cowboys right guard Zack Martin, a Pro Bowler in each of his first four seasons, would slightly disagree, even after a preseason scare with a knee injury in the second game against Cincinnati that ended up not being serious."You need those reps," Martin said. "You're in training camp. Obviously those are good reps, but you're going against the same guys, the same defense. Just the fact that you get to see new guys, new moves, new defenses. That's a big part of it. I think that's huge."Receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman sat the entire preseason for the Falcons despite being healthy.Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown didn't play while nursing a minor injury and Odell Beckham Jr. sat out for the New York Giants coming off a broken left ankle that sidelined him most of last season.It appeared Tennessee was protecting Delanie Walker before revealing that the 34-year-old tight end sustained an undisclosed injury during joint practices with Tampa Bay and was unavailable for the final three exhibitions."I am very confident that I'll be ready," said Walker, a three-time Pro Bowler. "I have been playing 13 seasons, and I've played in a lot of preseason games. So when you only get like five plays in a preseason game, I don't know if that helps you or not."Stephen Jones, executive vice president of personnel for the Cowboys and owner/general manager Jerry Jones' son, doesn't think it helps. Even without a name being mentioned, he knew the question was specifically about Elliott Kurt Warner Jersey , his third-year back who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2016."I'm sure every back is different," Jones said. "I've read quotes from other backs in the league that they don't think they need it. I don't know what five snaps does in a preseason game."Jones, however, disagrees with his dad on shortening the preseason. NFL football operations chief Troy Vincent says teams are polled every year on that idea, and are usually split about down the middle. Stephen Jones believes it's important for younger players to get a chance to show what they can do in games."I know the fans may not love it as much," he said. "I understand that, but there are a group of fans out there who really enjoy watching these young players develop."Vincent, a defensive back for 15 seasons, remembers playing in multiple exhibitions — and sometimes skipping the preseason entirely."To get into football shape — true football shape — the only way to do that is on the field, and the best way is in game action," Vincent said. "I really feel for the coaches and putting together a roster because they have to make sure the players are getting in the work to be evaluated."But there are plenty of players who don't need to be evaluated. Elliott is obviously among them after leading the league in yards rushing per game for the second straight year while missing six games on a suspension over domestic violence allegations."This is the most comfortable I have felt in this offense," Elliott said at halftime of the preseason finale in Houston. "I believe I have had a great camp and enough reps that I'm ready to play."AP Pro Football Writers Teresa M. Walker and Barry Wilner and Sports Writers Greg Beacham, Will Graves, and Steven Wine contributed to this report. Game One versus the Oakland RaidersCB, Marcus Peters’ interception for touchdownGame Two versus the Arizona CardinalsHome opener: Are the Cardinals ever going to cross our fifty?Game Three versus the Carson ChargersInjuries to CB Aqib Talib and Marcus PetersGame Four versus the Minnesota VikingsQB Jared Goff on fire, pass to WR Copper Kupp in the end zone a thing of beautyGame Five versus Seattle SeahawksWhat happened to the Rams secondary?Game Six versus the Denver BroncosDominating performance by Rams overall and in particular http://www.theramslockerroom.com/authentic-marshall-faulk-jersey , RB Todd Gurley The referees stink in this leagueGame Seven versus the San Francisco 49’ersDT Aaron Donald is unstoppable and who is this TE for Niners, George Kittle? Game Eight versus Green Bay PackersPlease lord, not the last two minutes with QB Aaron Rodgers? Thank you, KR Ty Montgomery you’re my hero even if others think your dumb.Game Nine versus New Orleans SaintsThat was a first down! Replay sucks. CB Marcus Peters, what are you thinking?Game Ten versus Seattle SeahawksNice rebound from tough loss, see ya Seachickens.Game Eleven versus Kansas City ChiefsThe greatest regular season game I’ve ever seen in 60 years of Rams football, incredible winGame Twelve versus Detroit LionsBye week blues, Rams’ offense looks crummy even though we got the winGame Thirteen versus Chicago BearsWhat the heck was that, Rams’ defense gives up 15 points and we still lose? I want the Bears in the playoffsGame Fourteen versus Philadelphia EaglesPanic mode. QB Jared Goff attempted to recreate the “butt fumble” with historic gaffe, by falling down and then trying to throw the ball. Rams better get better fast with only two games left.Game Fifteen versus Arizona CardinalsTrade RB Todd Gurley, we got C.J. Anderson.Game Sixteen versus San Francisco 49’ersNo Gurley, no problem. Niners stink, I love DT Aaron Donald even if he didn’t get record. Rams earn bye week.