Basically, while Zeke was waiting for Dak to finish his interview:

But while he waited, he groused, half under his breath and maybe half-kiddingly, about how the public had invaded his space during his time away -- a photo of his grocery shopping seemed to offend him the most -- and about how maybe those invasions helped him decide to depart North Texas during his suspension. (His representatives' plan to film a documentary about the 42 days training in Cabo was also a motivator, of course.)

Mike goes on to describe Zeke's "incident" with the reporters and how he was able to get Zeke to answer his question after everyone else had already left:

Elliott, absorbing the "violation,'' felt justified then, as he abruptly excused himself, showered, and then later returned to his locker stall. My professional relationship with him is sound enough, and the level of seriousness with which I treat my job is high enough, that I wanted to take another stab. ... er, not stab. Another dance.

"Here's what needs to be asked, and you can certainly choose to answer it or not,'' I said to Elliott -- politely -- as he finished getting dressed for team meetings. "What's your level of conditioning, your level of preparation, for Sunday? Is it normal? Are you ready to carry your usual load, to be the back you usually are?''

Ezekiel Elliott dropped from his fist the metaphorical sword from his hand and dropped from his shoulder the metaphorical chip.

"I am,'' he declared. "All of what you just asked. Yes. Yes. And that's the absolute truth.''