Cowboys release RB Ezekiel Elliott before 2024 Finals

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 hopes of landing with a playoff contender for the remainder of the season.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones released the following statement about the release of Elliott:

“Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and the desire to give him an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today. As I have said many times in the past, Zeke’s impact as one of the ​​the greatest to ever play with 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 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 wearing 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.

Prior to the Cowboys’ Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this season, Elliott was suspended for disciplinary reasons, including missing meetings.

“Well, it was a decision that Zeke understands and that’s the way it is,” Jones said of the decision to suspend Elliott. “And he’s one of the best team guys. He’s one of the best workers I’ve ever been around and he was just that and has been and that (the decision) was definitely a result of he was late for meetings.”

Still, Jones had high praise for what Elliott brought to the table as a teammate of the Cowboys.

“We have rules,” Jones said. “You run a red light, you do stuff like that — I can’t stress enough what an exemplary teammate Zeke is, and I want to be clear about that. In my mind, that’s what a football player is all about. But that here was a discipline thing.”