Ex-Cowboys Star Ezekiel Elliott Signs With Los Angeles Chargers for Playoff Run

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) breaks a tackle attempt by Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris (Bottom L), as he sprints to the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL game in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 27, 2021. Michael Ainsworth/AP Photo

Ezekiel Elliott will join the Los Angeles Chargers for the playoffs a week after the Dallas Cowboys released him at his request.

Elliott, 29, has been a star running back for the Cowboys since the team drafted him out of Ohio State in 2016, but his play has declined in recent years. The Chargers (11–6) added Elliott to the practice squad on Tuesday, and he will bring postseason experience to a franchise that has been to the playoffs only twice since 2013.

Elliott has just 226 yards rushing for three touchdowns on 74 carries this season, but the Chargers don’t need him to be the top or even second back. Chargers running back J.J. Dobbins has a solid season going amid 195 carries for 905 yards and nine touchdowns, and fellow Chargers back Gus Edwards has 101 carries for 365 yards and four touchdowns.

Edwards has been dealing with an ankle injury, and he didn’t play in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dobbins likewise has been injured, suffering an MCL injury in November, but he finished the regular season with 13 games played.

Los Angeles will kick off the Wild Card round on Saturday against the Houston Texans (10–7) at Reliant Stadium in Houston at 4:30 p.m. Eastern. The Chargers finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak to solidify a playoff spot.

Elliott has played in six playoff games over the course of his career with the Cowboys from 2016 to 2024, minus one season with the New England Patriots in 2023. This year’s Cowboys fell short of the playoffs amid a 7–10 record and injuries. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones saw Elliott’s release as a career opportunity for the running back, a chance to chase a Super Bowl ring.

“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,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Dec. 31. “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,” Jones said.

Dallas took Elliott with the No. 4 pick in 2016, and he burst onto the scene as a rookie with a league-leading 1,631 rushing yards. Elliott led the NFL in rushing again in 2018 with 1,434 yards, and he made his second of three Pro Bowl appearances.

In nine seasons, Elliott has 9,130 yards rushing for 74 touchdowns on 2,139 carries in 135 career games. He also has 368 receptions for 2,718 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.