Ezekiel Elliott’s time with the Dallas Cowboys has come to an end. The team granted the running back’s request to be released on Tuesday. The longtime Cowboy will be placed on waivers, and once cleared, any team can sign him.
This comes after Elliott’s lackluster performance this season. In 15 games played, he rushed for 226 yards and three touchdowns. His 3.1 yards per carry was mediocre at best, prompting a release from the team, who picked him fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Shannon Sharpe Thinks Ezekiel Elliott Is Done
On Thursday’s episode of “Nightcap,” former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe gave an unfiltered take on Elliott’s future this season and beyond. While there’s no doubt the Cowboys haven’t looked great this season, Elliott’s career-worst 3.1 yards per carry has been a thorn in the side of the team that’s already missing starting quarterback Dak Prescott this season.
With such a low YPC average, Sharpe wonders if any playoff team would want his services.
“He’s averaging three. Okay, tell me the team that’s going to be in the playoffs that needs a running back averaging 3.1 yards a carry,” Sharpe said. “By all intents and purposes, it’s over. It’s over.
“At one point in time, Ezekiel Elliott was a thoroughbred — he was a racehorse. Well, when he couldn’t run anymore, you hooked him up to a plow and turned him into a plow horse. Now he can’t even plow anymore, so you know what time it is — ooh, you put him out to pasture because pretty soon, we’re going to have to turn his a** into glue.
“I gotta be honest with y’all. Y’all know I’m telling the truth. Y’all see Zeke. Zeke hasn’t been that guy in a very, very long time. Go back and look at it. Every year his numbers have declined — every year since the rookie year he got into the league in 2016. Look at Zeke’s average yards per game and average per carry.”
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones’ Parting Statement for Ezekiel Elliott
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a parting statement for Elliott, praising the running back for his sweat to the franchise.
“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,” said Jones.
“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.”
The Cowboys’ decision to release Elliott marks the end of an era in Dallas. Whether Elliott finds a role on another team or decides to hang up his cleats, one thing is clear — his time as the Cowboys’ franchise running back is over.