The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday to end a partnership that started off strong but quickly faded.
The move marked the end of Elliott’s second stint with the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2016. The Cowboys also released him to save money after the 2022 season.
This time, Elliott’s release could give the 29-year-old the chance to be a late addition for a playoff-bound team that wants to add a veteran.
The same thing happened last season with Dalvin Cook, who was released by the New York Jets and played for the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. Cook is currently on the Cowboys practice squad.
“Out of respect and appreciation for ‘Zeke’ and a desire to give him the opportunity to continue his season in the playoffs, we are releasing him today (Tuesday) from the Cowboys roster,” said owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
“As I have said many times before, ‘Zeke’s’ impact with the Cowboys will never change and will be etched in our record books and history forever. »
Elliott spent one season with the New England Patriots before returning to the Cowboys for a year. The Texan team hoped that he could revive his career, having recorded an average of 1,351 yards per season and 97 yards per game during his first four campaigns.
Instead, Elliott never really challenged fifth-year player Rico Dowdle for the running back role, and Dowdle became the first undrafted running back in team history to run more than 1000 yards rushing.
Dowdle has 1,007 yards entering the season finale for the Cowboys (7-9), who face the Washington Commanders (11-5) on Sunday. Elliott, for his part, only collected 226 yards on the ground with an average of 3.1 yards per carry.
Elliott’s first two seasons with the Cowboys were marked by off-field drama, including a six-game suspension in 2017 for domestic violence allegations. And this season, he was left at home during a game in Atlanta for disciplinary reasons. He played the next eight games.
Elliott won two running back titles and led the NFL in yards per game during his first three seasons before signing a US$90 million contract extension. However, his performances subsequently never lived up to this agreement.
Elliott finished his career in Dallas with 1,955 carries for 8,488 yards and 71 touchdowns. He ranks third in all three categories, behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
