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.
