The Dallas Cowboys are once again parting ways with 29-year-old veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott.
The team's owner, Jerry Jones, said in a statement Tuesday that the back was being released so that he could join a team headed for the playoffs.
“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today," Jones said in a statement. "As I have said many times previously, Zeke’s impact as one of the greatest to ever play with the Star on their helmet will never change and is etched in our record books and history forever. We thank him, love him and wish him the absolute best.”
Once the team officially releases him, Elliott will hit waivers. If he isn't claimed, he will then hit free agency.
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Elliott started twice in 15 games with the Cowboys this season, scored three TDs, carried the ball 74 times and pounded out 226 yards on the ground for an average of 3.1 yards per carry. All were career lows. He also made 12 catches for another 69 yards.
This season, Elliott never really challenged fifth-year player Rico Dowdle for the role of lead back, and Dowdle went on to become the franchise's first undrafted running back to rush for 1,000 yards.
Elliott was drafted fourth overall by the Cowboys in 2016 and played for the team for seven seasons before being released to save cap space in 2022. He spent one year with the Patriots before returning to North Texas.
Off-field drama marked Elliott's first two seasons with the Cowboys, including a six-game suspension in 2017 over domestic violence allegations. There was more this season when he was left at home for a game at Atlanta for disciplinary reasons. He played the next eight games.
Elliott had two rushing titles and had led the NFL in yards rushing per game in all three of his seasons when he held out all of the 2019 preseason before signing a $90 million extension. His production never came close to matching the expensive contract.
The 2016 All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler finishes his Dallas career with 1,955 carries for 8,488 yards and 71 touchdowns, third on the club in all three categories behind Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader, and Tony Dorsett. Elliott has 9,130 yards and 74 touchdowns overall.
The Cowboys, who are 7-9, were knocked out of playoff contention in Week 16. The Cowboys will play their final game of the 2024 season on Sunday when they play the playoff-bound Commanders at noon in Arlington.
