Jerry Jones gesture comes to light as RB Ezekiel Elliott gets playoff chance

Three-time Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott will join playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad on Tuesday just a week after his release by the Dallas Cowboys.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted he released the 29-year-old “out of respect and appreciation” to “provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation.” And that gesture has paved the way for Elliott to move to Los Angeles.

Elliott has struggled through the worst season of his professional career, rushing for 226 yards on a career-low 3.1 yards per carry for three touchdowns. If elevated to the Chargers active playoff roster, he would serve as a backup to starter J.K. Dobbins.

Current backup Gus Edwards hasn’t played since December 19 with an ankle injury and his status for the postseason is unclear. The 11-6 Chargers will face the Houston Texans on Saturday in the AFC Wild Card Round.

Edwards, nicknamed “Gus Bus,” served as the bruising compliment to Dobbins’s agility. He rushed for 365 and four touchdowns this season but was far more effective with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

Playing for Chargers’ coach Jim Harbuagh’s brother John, Edwards bullied his way to 810 yards and 13 scores on the ground in a career season. Elliot, who ranks second amongst active players in rushing touchdowns, could serve as the physical understudy to Dobbins if Edwards is unable to return.

“I’d like to thank Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys for affording Zeke this unique opportunity in granting us our release,” Elliott’s agent Rocky Arceneaux wrote at the time of his client’s release.

“Even though nothing is imminent, Zeke is excited about the possibilities and is grateful. He’s got a lot of good football left in him and will remain a Dallas Cowboy for life.”

The Cowboys drafted Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was immediately a hit in the professional level, winning the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award as part of an All-Pro campaign.

The Chargers finished their regular season with a routine 34-20 victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. Harbaugh was nothing but complimentary of starting quarterback Justin Herbert.

“I’m very proud of the way the team played, starting with the quarterback,” he said. “I’m not going to say unbelievable because I believe it and I see it every day. But there were throws that he was making… that were like handoffs. They were right where you would put it if you were handing the ball off on a running play. Just incredible game by him.”