FRISCO, Texas — Ezekiel Elliott‘s return to the Dallas Cowboys is over with one sport left to play.
The crew waived its No. 3 all-time speeding chief Tuesday, marking the second time the Cowboys have launched Elliott in three years. He was launched after the 2022 season for wage cap causes and spent 2023 with the New England Patriots.
The Cowboys made the transfer now to present Elliott, 29, an opportunity to hitch a playoff contender if he clears waivers.
“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to offer him with a possibility to pursue any potential playoff participation attainable, we’re releasing him from the Cowboys roster as we speak,” Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones mentioned in a press release. “As I’ve mentioned many occasions beforehand, Zeke’s influence as one of many best to ever play with the Star on their helmet won’t ever change and is etched in our report books and historical past eternally. We thank him, love him and want him the best possible.”
Elliott’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, thanked Jones “for affording Zeke this distinctive alternative in granting us our launch.”
“Even although nothing is imminent Zeke is happy in regards to the potentialities and is grateful. He’s obtained a variety of good soccer left in him, and can stay a Dallas Cowboy for all times,” he mentioned in a press release launched to a number of media retailers.
After the 2024 draft, Elliott signed a one-year deal value as much as $3 million if he had met incentives primarily based on reaching 1,100 scrimmage yards, 10 touchdowns and 51% of taking part in time, plus the Cowboys making the playoffs.
Elliott has 74 carries for 226 yards and three touchdowns on the season. He has caught 12 passes for 69 yards.
Elliott didn’t high the 40 yards he had within the season opener towards the Cleveland Browns. He has not had a run longer than 11 yards this season. He was deactivated for the Nov. 3 sport on the Atlanta Falcons for lacking conferences, in accordance with a number of sources. His future with the crew got here into query after that sport, however he remained on the 53-man roster.
Coach Mike McCarthy not too long ago mentioned Elliott has been a consummate teammate and supported Rico Dowdle, who has turn out to be the lead again and topped 1,000 yards on the season final week towards the Philadelphia Eagles.
Elliott has been energetic for each sport because the penalty, however he has topped 14 snaps simply as soon as previously eight video games. In the Week 16 win towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Elliott scored on a 1-yard landing run, giving him 71 in his profession as a Cowboy. Only Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett (72) and Emmitt Smith (153) have extra in franchise historical past.
From 2016 to 2022 with the Cowboys, Elliott ran for 8,262 yards. The three-time Pro Bowl choice set crew rookie data with 1,631 yards and posted 30 100-yard video games in his time with the Cowboys. He led the NFL in speeding in 2016 and 2018 however has not topped 1,000 yards since 2020 (1,002).
In reality, Elliott’s manufacturing has dropped each season he has performed.
Behind Dowdle, the Cowboys now have Deuce Vaughn on the energetic roster with Dalvin Cook and Malik Davis on the apply squad.
