After requesting his launch from the Cowboys in pursuit of a playoff run, Ezekiel Elliott has landed with a postseason squad. The veteran operating again is signing with the Chargers follow squad, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
Elliott attracted curiosity from a handful of playoff-bound groups, according to Schultz. The operating again in the end selected the Chargers as a result of he favored the match alongside coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that there’s hope that Elliott can get “on top of things rapidly” and contribute to his squad within the playoffs.
Following a one-season cease in New England, Elliott returned to the Cowboys this previous offseason. With Tony Pollard now not within the image, there was hope that the longtime Dallas star might as soon as once more lead the backfield. The veteran noticed a considerably important function to start the season, together with the season opener when he ran for 40 yards and a landing on 10 carries.
Because the season went on, Elliott discovered himself definitively behind Rico Dowdle on the depth chart. The veteran usually struggled when he was on the sector, as his 3.1 yards-per-carry represented a brand new career-low. Elliott additionally confronted self-discipline in November for his “recurring tardiness,” resulting in his Week 9 absence. With the Cowboys firmly out of the playoff image getting into the ultimate week of the season, Elliott requested and was granted his launch as he pursued a chance with a playoff group.
He’ll discover that chance in Los Angeles, the place the Chargers have navigated a brand new RB corps in 2024. J.Ok. Dobbins not too long ago returned to his RB1 function after lacking 4 weeks with a sprained knee, however fellow RB Gus Edwards is presently nursing his personal ankle difficulty. Hassan Haskins and rookie Kimani Vidal have crammed in admirably at occasions for the Chargers all through the 2024 marketing campaign, however contemplating Dobbins’ harm historical past, some further depth actually gained’t harm.
In fact, expectations should be managed for the group’s latest addition. Whilst Elliott discovered the tip zone 12 occasions through the 2022 marketing campaign, the RB was already exhibiting indicators of decline, resulting in the Cowboys bailing from his six-year, $90M extension. He didn’t look a complete lot higher throughout his lone season with the Patriots, and he hit a brand new low this season with solely 295 yards from scrimmage. The Chargers are set to tackle the Texans this Saturday, so it could be unrealistic for Elliott to earn the group’s belief in lower than every week. If the Chargers win their wild-card matchup and Edwards continues to be sidelined, then Elliott might doubtlessly play a goal-line function for the group in later rounds.
