FRISCO, Texas - The Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday, ending his second stint in Dallas that lasted 15 games.
Elliott requested his release and the Cowboys honored it, as Elliott will now be subject to waivers in the hopes of landing with a playoff contender for the remainder of the season.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones released the following statement on the release of Elliott:
"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. 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."
In 2024 through 15 games, Elliott tallied 74 carries for 226 yards and three touchdowns on the ground for the Cowboys.
Elliott, who the Cowboys drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, has cemented himself into the franchise history books in his eight seasons donning the star on his helmet. Elliott has the third most rushing yards (8,488) and rushing touchdowns (71) in franchise history.
The 2024 season was not his best however, as Elliott posted career lows in yards (226) and yards per carry (3.1) in his first season back in Dallas.
Ahead of the Cowboys' Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this season, Elliott was suspended due to disciplinary reasons including missing meetings.
"Well, it was a decision that Zeke understands, and so that's the way it is," Jones said of the decision to suspend Elliott. "And he's one of the best team men. He's one of the best workers that I've ever been around, and he was just that and has been that, and that [decision] was unconditionally a result of him being late for meetings."
Even still, Jones had high praise for what Elliott brought to the table as a teammate for the Cowboys.
"We have rules," Jones said. "You run red lights, you do things like that 鈥 I can't emphasize enough what an exemplary teammate Zeke is, and I want to be real clear about that. In my mind, he's what a football player is all about. But this was a discipline thing."
