FRISCO - On Wednesday, as it regarded the Dallas Cowboys' personnel plan for a "meaningless"/"meaningful'' regular-season closer at New York, star Ezekiel Elliott talked a good game. And coach Jason Garrett talked a good game.

But it was Rod Smith and Darius Jackson who actually played a good "game'' -- that is, the Wednesday practice that simulates a "game'' and is our so-far hint as to what the Cowboys really plan to do Sunday.

"I think this is the right thing to do,'' Elliott said of him being fully involved in the game Sunday, even though at 9-6 the playoff-bound Cowboys get no tangible benefit from winning. "We're approaching this same as a normal week.''

Added Garrett, insisting that his players who are healthy will play: “Lots of people say it’s a meaningless game. But it’s a meaningful game to us.”

Garrett has a darn good reason for sending that message: He doesn't want to waste a week of practice by allowing his players to think it's a three-day vacation. But in fact, locker-room sources indicate to me that Wednesday actually marked one of Zeke's lightest practice days of the season. Why?

Because not only did he split carries two ways (with Rod Smith), as he has occasionally done to keep himself fresh during the work week ... but this time around, he split carries three ways, with practice-squad call-up Darius Jackson also sharing in first-team participation.

What does that tell you about what Dallas' true intentions are for Sunday?

Stay tuned to learn more of the same on the subjects of Zeke's offensive cohorts QB Dak Prescott, offensive linemen Zack Martin (who we have already reported is scheduled to sit) and Tyron Smith and Tavon Austin (who I'm told took numerous first-team reps on Wednesday). Stay tuned for some decisions on defense, too, especially regarding DeMarcus Lawrence and Sean Lee. But here, let's stick with the centerpiece of the offense, Elliott who with 1,434 yards is 183 yards ahead of the next-closest rusher, the Rams’ Todd Gurley, and therefore bound for his second NFL rushing title in his three professional seasons. Elliott also has a career-best 77 catches, and with 2,001 scrimmage yards, he ranks with Emmitt Smith and Herschel Walker as the only Cowboys to reach that mark in their first three seasons.

A second rushing title, Zeke said, would be “a great achievement.'' He cited the work of coaches and teammates who have helped make it possible. But he also called it a "little thing'' compared to Dallas' true target.

“We all know what the big goal in mind is and I think that’s what is most important,'' he said. "I think that’s what should be talked about.”

Indeed, and in that same spirit, the Cowboys are telling themselves that this week matters ... because in a way, it does -- though that "way'' has nothing to do with the Giants. “We’ve just got to approach this week the same way we’ve approached the past upcoming weeks,'' Zeke said, and that's what you tell yourself ... and then you show up to practice and within no time, you find Rod Smith going in for you as a first-team running back ... and then you watch Darius Jackson going in for him as a first-team running back.

Elliott was asked about his willingness -- given the fact that Dallas is locked into the No. 4 playoff seed in the NFC -- to once again tote the rock 40 times in this game.

"Sure,'' he said. "Whatever it takes.''

Happily for Dallas, it doesn't take that. It may take an early cameo from Ezekiel Elliott, for whatever benefits can be wrung from that. And then? Based on Wednesday's work, if there are 40 more touches available, Rod Smith and Darius Jackson might get 20 each.