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 apply 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 preferred 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 may as soon as once more lead the backfield. The veteran noticed a considerably vital 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 typically struggled when he was on the sphere, as his 3.1 yards-per-carry represented a brand new career-low. Elliott additionally confronted self-discipline in November for his “ordinary 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 crew.
He’ll discover that chance in Los Angeles, the place the Chargers have navigated a brand new RB corps in 2024. J.K. Dobbins lately returned to his RB1 function after lacking 4 weeks with a sprained knee, however fellow RB Gus Edwards is at the moment nursing his personal ankle problem. Hassan Haskins and rookie Kimani Vidal have crammed in admirably at occasions for the Chargers all through the 2024 marketing campaign, however contemplating Dobbins’ damage historical past, some additional depth actually received’t harm.
After all, expectations should be managed for the crew’s latest addition. At the same time as Elliott discovered the top zone 12 occasions in the course of 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 might be unrealistic for Elliott to earn the crew’s belief in lower than per week. If the Chargers win their wild-card matchup and Edwards remains to be sidelined, then Elliott may probably play a goal-line function for the crew in later rounds.
