Cowboys team charter leaves for training camp without Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was not on the team plane when it departed Dallas for training camp in Oxnard, Calif., increasing the drama surrounding a possible holdout, according to the NFL Network.

Elliott does not officially have to show up until Friday, when coach Jason Garrett holds the first team meeting before the first practice.

There are players who meet the team in California for camp, though most traditionally take the charter from Dallas.

Elliott has contemplated not reporting to camp in hopes of forcing the Cowboys to address his wish for a contract extension.

He can be fined $40,000 for each day of training camp that he misses, under Article 42 and Section 1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He would lose the opportunity to earn an accrued season if he doesn’t report by Aug. 6.

Garrett said Wednesday that he expected Elliott on the charter for camp as he hadn’t been told otherwise.

Again, Elliott still can show up by Friday.

But his empty seat on the team plane is telling.