Tag: Elliott

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) before action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Chargers sign RB Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Ezekiel Elliott joined the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers after wide receiver Laviska Shenault was released on Tuesday.

Elliott, 29, was released by the Dallas Cowboys on New Year’s Eve, ending his second stint with the team. The Chargers are headed to the postseason, starting with a visit to Houston in the wild-card round on Saturday.

“Competitors welcome at the Los Angeles Chargers,” coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday. “Great to see him. He’s here and he’ll start having at it.”

Elliott and Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa were teammates at Ohio State before they entered the NFL on back-to-back selections in the top five of the 2016 draft. Bosa went No. 3 before the Cowboys took Elliott fourth.

Elliott has six career playoff appearances, all with Dallas from 2016-22, and 393 rushing yards with two TDs in his postseason career.

The Chargers’ depth chart at running back was a concern down the stretch.

J.K. Dobbins missed four games with a knee sprain but returned while No. 2 back Gus Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the past two games.

Dobbins led the team with 905 rushing yards during the regular season, followed by Edwards with 365 and then quarterback Justin Herbert with 306. The next-leading running back was Kimani Vidal with just 155 yards.

Dallas released Elliott with one game remaining in the regular season. He ranks third in Cowboys history with 8,488 career rushing yards, behind only Tony Dorsett (12,036) and the NFL rushing king Emmitt Smith, who had 17,162 of his record 18,355 yards in a Dallas uniform.

Elliott rushed for just 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries for Dallas this season while also catching 12 passes for 69 yards. The two-time NFL rushing leader gained at least 979 yards in each of his first six seasons before his yardage began to spiral downward.

Elliott had 876 rushing yards in 2022 before the Cowboys released him following the season. He played for the New England Patriots in 2023 and rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Elliott returned to Dallas. He rushed for 40 yards in the season-opening victory against the Cleveland Browns but reached 30 just twice more before being released.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Chargers signing RB Ezekiel Elliott

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad, according to multiple reports.

Elliott, 29, was released by the Dallas Cowboys on New Year’s Eve so the nine-year veteran had an opportunity to latch on with a playoff team. That team appears to be the Chargers, who play at Houston in the wild-card round on Saturday.

The Chargers’ depth chart at running back has been tested by injuries throughout the season. While J.K. Dobbins returned last month after missing four games with a knee sprain, No. 2 back Gus Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the past two games.

Dobbins led the team with 905 rushing yards during the regular season, followed by Edwards with 365 and then quarterback Justin Herbert with 306. The next-leading running back was Kimani Vidal with just 155 yards.

Dallas released Elliott with one game remaining in the regular season. He ranks third in Cowboys history with 8,488 career rushing yards, behind only Tony Dorsett (12,036) and the NFL all-time leading rusher in Emmitt Smith, who had 17,162 of his 18,355 yards in a Dallas uniform.

Elliott rushed for just 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries for Dallas this season while also catching 12 passes for 69 yards. He gained at least 979 yards in each of his first six seasons before his yardage began to spiral downward.

Elliott had 876 rushing yards in 2022 before the Cowboys released him following the season. He played for the New England Patriots in 2023 and rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Elliott returned to Dallas. He rushed for 40 yards in the season-opening victory against the Cleveland Browns but reached 30 just twice more before being released.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell (47) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Cowboys release veteran RB Ezekiel Elliott

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With one game left in their season, the Dallas Cowboys waived veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday afternoon.

The team said it made the move to allow Elliott a chance to latch on with a playoff team should he clear waivers.

The Cowboys (7-9) aren’t part of the playoff picture and conclude their season against the visiting Washington Commanders on Sunday.

“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,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry 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.”

Elliott ranks third in Cowboys history with 8,488 career rushing yards, behind only Tony Dorsett (12,036) and the NFL all-time leading rusher in Emmitt Smith, who had 17,162 of his 18,355 yards in a Dallas uniform.

“Even though nothing is imminent, Zeke is excited about the possibilities and is grateful,” Rocky Arceneaux, Elliott’s agent, said in a statement. “He’s got a lot of good football left in him, and will remain a Dallas Cowboy for life.”

Elliott, 29, has rushed for just 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries this season while also catching 12 passes for 69 yards. The nine-year pro gained at least 979 yards in each of his first six seasons before his yardage began to spiral downward.

Elliott had 876 rushing yards in 2022 before the Cowboys released him following the season. He played for the New England Patriots in 2023 and rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Elliott returned to Dallas. He rushed for 40 yards in the season-opening victory against the Cleveland Browns but has reached 30 just twice more all season.

Rico Dowdle leads Dallas with 1,007 rushing yards this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hugs New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) after the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys bring back RB Ezekiel Elliott

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ezekiel Elliott agreed to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

Elliott played for Dallas from 2016-22 after the team selected him with the No. 4 overall section of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent last season with the New England Patriots after being released by Dallas.

Owner Jerry Jones said before the third day of the NFL draft that the Cowboys were “keenly interested” in Elliott. Team officials met with Elliott and his agent last week, and Jones said that Elliott’s days as a starter are not behind him.

“I know this, I saw as recent as the end of the year, I saw Zeke play,” Jones said. “And I will tell you he’s good enough to be a starter.”

The Cowboys needed help in the backfield after letting running back Tony Pollard leave in free agency.

Dallas’ current running back room consists of Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner.

If Elliott returns as the starter, the question will be how much tread is left on his tires.

Elliott turns 29 on July 22, one week before training camp is scheduled to begin.

He joined New England as a No. 2 running back last summer but found his way to the field more often when Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Elliott finished with a team-best 642 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 51 catches for 313 yards and two scores in 17 games (five starts) last season.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. He ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Fame members Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) on the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott all business in return to Dallas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A video tribute in recognition of his days with the Cowboys might be in the works, but Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott knows Sunday in Dallas is all about business.

“I’m focused on going to win a football game,” said Elliott, who signed with New England in August as the No. 2 back to Rhamondre Stevenson.

“It’s cool going back to Dallas. I spent a lot of time there. A lot of great times there. But you’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing and that’s going out there, getting better as a team and getting another win.”

The Cowboys parted with Elliott in the offseason. He was scheduled to count $16.4 million against the 2023 salary cap and negotiations geared toward lowering that number were unsuccessful. Owner Jerry Jones said in announcing the move, which saved the Cowboys $10.9 million, that Elliott’s impact “is seared into the Cowboys franchise in a very special and indelible way.”

Elliott is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and coach Bill Belichick recognized after Sunday’s win over the Jets that his fit with the franchise is improving each week.

“I think we’ve got some momentum up front,” Elliott said. “We kind of had to shuffle some guys around on the O-line, kind of getting the group in there and getting the ball rolling.”

Dallas is 2-1 without Elliott and feeding his former backup a hefty workload.

Elliott was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.8 yards per carry in 2022 while Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.

Elliott said he’s grateful for Jones and his family for all they’ve done, but Sunday is part of turning the page.

“Not gonna make it bigger than what it is,” Elliott said. “I wanna go out there play Patriot football, I wanna go out there get better, we want to get a win. It’s just the next stop on our 17-game journey.”

Elliott, who signed a six-year, $90 million contract in 2019, led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and registered four 1,000-yard seasons. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Dallas history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) and wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and wide receiver Noah Brown (85) in the huddle during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys sweat huddle intel of new Patriots Ezekiel Elliott, Will Grier

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is concerned longtime Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Will Grier are telling secrets.

As the New England Patriots prepare to travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Sunday, Elliott and Grier add tangible value with their knowledge of the inner workings of the Cowboys’ operation.

“Certainly Will knows where a lot of the bones are buried,” Schottenheimer said. “Zeke obviously does as well. Those are thing you talk about, and you think about, ‘OK, let’s adjust this one.’ We certainly have more than one hand signal for most of our core concepts, and sometimes you can use it to your advantage because they think they know what’s coming. And they hear something they think, ‘Oh, hey, it’s this’ and we’re smart enough to adjust those things.”

Grier was waived in August when the Cowboys made a trade to acquire Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers.

Elliott played 103 career regular-season games in Dallas and was released in the offseason. He’s a close friend of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and has unique insight, despite the team changing offensive coordinators from Kellen Moore to Schottenheimer. But head coach Mike McCarthy has taken over play-calling this season.

The cat-and-mouse game can work both ways.

Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore played for the Patriots from 2017-20 and was a prized pupil of head coach Bill Belichick. Well-traveled wide receiver Brandin Cooks spent the 2017 season in New England.

“Everybody does it, you get a player that’s been somewhere, you talk to him about different things,” Schottenheimer said. “And then you’re very selective about how much you put into it. Excited to see Will, it’ll be great to see him, but I’m sure he is definitely being interrogated and spending a lot of late nights with their defensive coaching staff.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Ezekiel Elliott considering Eagles, Jets, Bengals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ezekiel Elliott has narrowed his options to three teams and hopes to sign by the end of next week, ESPN reported Thursday.

Cut by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-shedding move on March 15, the two-time rushing champion is considering the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, according to the report.

Elliott, 28, was scheduled to count $16.4 million against the Cowboys’ 2023 salary cap. Dallas designated him as a post-June 1 cut, per reports, saving the team $10.9 million. The team takes a $5.8 million hit in dead money.

Elliott was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.

The Cowboys used the franchise tag in March to retain Pollard at a cost of $10.1 million, resulting in a commitment of more than $27 million to the position for 2023.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and registered four 1,000-yard seasons. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Dallas history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

Elliott rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns (one receiving) in 12 career games against the NFC East rival Eagles, who signed Rashaad Penny in free agency. Last season’s leading rusher, Miles Sanders, landed with the Carolina Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) before the wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Cowboys to release RB Ezekiel Elliott

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will be released as early as Wednesday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported hours before the official start of the NFL league year.

Elliott, 28, was scheduled to count $16.4 million against the 2023 salary cap and negotiations geared toward lowering that number were unsuccessful, per the report.

Cutting Elliott would save the Cowboys $4.86 million if he’s released Wednesday. Opting to designate Elliott as a post-June 1 cut would save $10.9 million.

Elliott was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low
876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.

The Cowboys used the franchise tag in March to retain Pollard at a cost of $10.1 million, resulting in a commitment of more than $27 million to the position for 2023.
Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract in 2019.

He ranks third in franchise history with 8,262 rushing yards, 68 rushing and 80 total touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy before a NFC divisional round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Jones: Mike McCarthy to call plays in 2023

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s official: Mike McCarthy will call offensive plays for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.

That from owner/general manager Jerry Jones, who told reporters at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday that McCarthy will bring a version of the offense he ran in Green Bay to the Cowboys next season.

“This is the logical step to build on it and use what we’ve established, if you will, the foundation of wins we got. This is the time to build on it and that’s what this is, this a building step,” Jones said.

McCarthy was head coach for the Packers from 2006-18 and called the offense for the majority of that time. He was also an offensive coordinator for New Orleans and San Francisco before taking over the reins in Green Bay.

The Cowboys parted ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on Sunday. Moore hooked on as OC with the Los Angeles Chargers less than 24 hours later.

“I think Mike felt it was in our best interest to keep Kellen when he first got here because Kellen’s outstanding,” Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones said. “The more he’s been around Kellen, as much as he respects him, there’s still a part of it that don’t totally jibe, if you will, with what he wants.”

Jerry Jones also confirmed that the Cowboys have talked with Carolina Panthers running backs coach/assistant head coach Jeff Nixon and Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach/assistant head coach Thomas Brown to replace Moore as OC.

Jerry Jones said the team will resume talking with wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency. The team flirted with Beckham late in the 2022 season but with the WR continuing to rehab from ACL surgery, he likely would not have been able to suit up. Beckham missed the entire 2022 season.

Both Jerry and Stephen Jones also told reporters the team wants to retain running back Ezekiel Elliott. The team could dump Elliott’s contract with just a $11.8 million cap hit in 2023. The team signed Elliott to a six-year, $90 million extension in September 2019.

Elliott rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts) in 2022. Elliott missed time with a knee injury and at times took a back seat with the emergence of Tony Pollard.

Further, Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are committed to quarterback Dak Prescott and are open to extending his contract to lower his cap hit. The team signed Prescott to a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March 2021. Year 1 of the extension kicks in for the 2023 season, giving the Cowboys a $49.1 million cap hit.

However, Jerry Jones also said the team is committed to drafting a quarterback, saying the Cowboys should have committed to drafting one every year years ago.

Prescott injured his thumb in Week 1 against Tampa on Sept. 11 that required insertion of a steel plate and screws to promote healing in his right hand. He returned Week 7 against Detroit.

Jerry Jones also confirmed that wide receiver Michael Gallup underwent two arthroscopic surgeries Tuesday on his knee and ankle. The knee was a meniscus repair and the other was clean-up of his ankle. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the offseason program in April.

–Field Level Media

Aug 20, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (left) and running back Tony Pollard (20) before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott to play at Vikings

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is back in the lineup as Dallas heads into a Week 11 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that Elliott’s knee is no longer hindering his lateral movement or short-area explosiveness.

“I anticipate him going,” McCarthy said of Elliott’s return from a three-week absence that included the Cowboys’ bye week.

Tony Pollard is leading the NFL with 6.0 yards per carry among running backs with at least 100 carries in 2022. He has four touchdowns in the past two games, clearing 100 rushing yards against the Bears (131) and Packers (115).

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Elliott is the starter because he brings something to the offense that most defense can’t consistently contend with.

“We are a better team when we’ve got him and got him available. Defenses are well aware, more than anybody, of his impact and his availability,” Jones said in a radio interview Friday. “I’m glad to have him back, and it does look like he’s gonna be available (Sunday).”

Elliott, who is averaging 4.1 yards a carry, has 443 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground.

McCarthy said defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (foot, knee) and linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring) would also be available at Minnesota. Barr did not play last week at Green Bay.

–Field Level Media