Cowboys Release Ezekiel Elliott In Quiet End To Running Back's Illustrious Dallas Career

The Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday, a quiet end to a Dallas career that started with two rushing titles in three seasons but faded quickly from there.

The move was the end of Elliott's second stint with the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2016. The Cowboys dumped him in a cost-cutting move after the 2022 season.

This time, Elliott's release could give the 29-year-old a chance to be a late add for a playoff team looking for veteran help at running back.

The same thing happened last season with four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook, who was cut by the New York Jets and played for Baltimore in a wild-card win. Cook is on Dallas' practice squad right now.

"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," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "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."