Ezekiel Elliott signs with Chargers ahead of NFL playoffs

The Chargers will get some help before their playoff run begins this weekend. 

Ezekiel Elliott has agreed to a deal with the Chargers, according to multiple reports, giving Los Angeles some added running back depth heading into their Wild Card showdown with the Texans. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted that Elliott will be signed to the Chargers’ practice squad and that the team hopes to get him “up to speed quickly.” 

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that several playoff-bound teams had shown interest in Elliott and that ultimately the former Cowboys running back liked how he could fit in with head coach Jim Harbaugh and starting quarterback Justin Herbert. 

The Cowboys released Elliott on Dec. 31 ahead of the team’s season finale, ending his second stint in Dallas after appearing in 15 games this year.

Elliott had originally been drafted by the Cowboys in 2015 and played eight years with Dallas before being released after the 2022 season. 

He played a year in New England in 2023 before returning to Dallas this season on a one-year deal. 

In a statement following his release, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team released Elliott in order to give him a shot at a postseason run. 

“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,” he said in the statement. “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.”

Elliott rushed for 226 yards and three scores with the Cowboys this season and he will bring valuable pass-blocking abilities that can come in handy for the Chargers in the playoffs.