The Dallas Cowboys and free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott have mutual interest in a reunion, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

While a deal between Elliott and his former club has not been reached, both sides are open to it, soures added.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys plan on not restructuring his contract this offseason, which will allow him to be a free agent in 2025. The Cowboys and Prescott have "a mutual understanding of his contract situation" despite him being in a contract year.

Prescott is set to count $59.45 million against the cap in 2024. He has a $29 million base salary and has a $5 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year.

Prescott previously said he's optimistic about his future with the Cowboys despite the uncertainity.

"I'm definitely confident," Prescott said. "Obviously it helps the team. It's important for the numbers ... That is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything's great. It'll happen."

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "absolutely" expects the NFL to ban the hip-drop tackle this week.

"You can coach that one," Jones said. "In my mind, that's one of the easier deals. It reminds me a little of [the] horse collar. That's needed. That's very needed. It's very obvious that it's injurious."

The tackle is characterized by the defensive player grabbing the ball carrier around the waist, twisting, and falling down. The injury happens when the defender lands on the ball carrier's lower legs.

The NFL Players Association opposes the move.

The Dallas Cowboys are re-signing running back Rico Dowdle.

It will be a one-year deal. As of right now, he headlines the Cowboys' running back room.

Dallas also has Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner on the roster.

Eric Kendricks has backed out of his agreement to sig with the San Francisco 49ers and will instead join the Dallas Cowboys.

Kendricks will reunite with Mike Zimmer, who coached him from 2015 until 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings.

Kendricks was released by the Los Angeles Chargers as a salary cap casualty March 5 after joining the team on a two-year, $13.25 million contract prior to the 2023 season. 

The Dallas Cowboys won't designate Micah Parsons as a linebacker or defensive end when they pick up his fifth-year option.

The Cowboys won't make a designation, instead believing that the league and/or union will determine the position that Parsons plays.

The difference is significant. Parsons' fifth-year option salary as a defensive end carries a salary in 2025 of $21.32 million. As a linebacker, Parsons would be in line for a fifth-year salary of $24 million.

However, none of it matters if the Cowboys sign Parsons to a new deal before the deadline for exercising the fifth-year option.

The New England Patriots are expected to pursue left tackle Tyron Smith when free agency begins next week, according to a report.

Smith is preparing to leave the Dallas Cowboys.

The Patriots are in need of a left tackle with Trent Brown's contract voided.

Dak Prescott is optimistic about his future with the Dallas Cowboys despite the fact that he could be entering the final year of his contract with the team.

"I'm definitely confident," Prescott said. "Obviously it helps the team. It's important for the numbers ... That is a process. Both sides understand that. Everything's great. It'll happen."

To date, there have not been substantial discussions between the Cowboys and Prescott's agent, Todd France.

Prescott is set to count $59.45 million against the cap in 2024. He has a $29 million base salary and has a $5 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year.

Tyron Smith is unlikely to return to the Dallas Cowboys after initial discussions left the sides at different ends of the salary spectrum, according to a source.

The Cowboys met with Smith's agent during the NFL scouting combine to see what the chances were that their 2011 first-round pick would return.

While Smith played 14 games in 2023, he has not played a full season since 2015.