Dallas Cowboys release RB Ezekiel Elliott ahead of Week 18 game vs. Commanders

The Ezekiel Elliott era is over in Dallas again.

The Cowboys are releasing the 29-year-old running back ahead of their Week 18 game at home against the Washington Commanders. Elliott reportedly requested his release.

This is the second time in three seasons the Cowboys have released Elliott. He tallied four carries for three yards and a touchdown over the last two games for Dallas.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards in 2016 and 2018 with the Cowboys and made three Pro Bowls with the team (2016, 2018, 2019). Dallas released him after the 2022 NFL season and Elliott spent the 2023 season with the New England Patriots.

He had 955 total yards and five touchdowns with New England before hitting free agency again last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys.

He took a secondary role in the backfield behind starter Rico Dowdle this season and is on pace for career lows in nearly every category, including carries, rushing yards and touchdowns.

Ezekiel Elliott stats

Elliott has played in 15 games for the Cowboys this season, including two starts. He tallied 74 carries for 226 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in that time. He has 12 catches for 69 receiving yards as well.

Cowboys RB depth chart

With Elliott off the roster, the Cowboys have a pair of running backs on the active roster at the time of publishing:

• Rico Dowdle

• Deuce Vaughn

Dallas also carries fullback Hunter Luepke on the active roster.

Running backs Malik Davis and Dalvin Cook are signed to the practice squad.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Cowboys release Ezekiel Elliott ahead of Week 18