The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott to its practice squad in preparation for the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
Dallas released Elliott on January 31 following a request from the running back, who noted that he would like to join a playoff team that could use his services and compete for a Super Bowl.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously stated that the organization released Elliott during the 2024 regular season “out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible,” per ESPN.
Elliott has spent eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Cowboys, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett for the most rushing yards in franchise history.
Now, he will take on the challenge of joining a new team and learning a new offensive system just days before the Chargers travel to take on the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Elliott will join a crowded backfield that has been one of the most effective in the league this season, as J.K. Dobbins contributed 1,058 yards from scrimmage and Gus Edwards added another 371 yards from scrimmage.
Despite this production, Dobbins and Edwards have missed a combined total of 10 games this season, and Elliott could be expected to fill an important role if either player is unable to play significant snaps during the Chargers’ upcoming playoff run.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network stated on Monday night that Los Angeles is hoping Elliott “gets up to speed quickly” in the event that he must play this coming weekend.
Elliott will also reunite with former Ohio State teammate Joey Bosa, who the Chargers selected third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, just one selection before Dallas selected Elliott.
The ninth-year running back struggled during his time with the Cowboys in 2024. In his 15 appearances this season, he posted 226 yards and three touchdowns on 74 carries, adding just 12 receptions for 69 yards in the passing game.
This season also marked the third consecutive season in which Elliott saw a decrease in his yards per carry, sitting at just 3.1 after averaging 3.5 in 2023 and 3.8 in 2022.
However, he will now join a Chargers team that averages 110.7 rushing yards per game. The team’s head coach is Jim Harbaugh, who is vocal about his belief in establishing the rushing attack early in games.