On January 6, 2025, the Los Angeles Chargers announced the signing of Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad. Elliott is formerly of the Cowboys, playing all of 2024 as their short-yardage, veteran running back.
The #Chargers are signing RB Zeke Elliott to their practice squad, source said, with the hope that the former #Cowboys back gets up to speed quickly. pic.twitter.com/LPj9t4oBtu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025
In his first seven years in Dallas, Elliott had two All-Pro seasons, three Pro Bowl selections, and four 1,000-yard seasons. The 2016 first-round selection was one of the Cowboys’ franchise’s best rushers. Even with a long lineage of all-time great running backs, Elliott is a standout in Cowboys history.
Unfortunately, The wear and tear for Cowboys legendary running back came quickly as his decline started in 2020. He remained a solid starter until 2023, when he was a RB2 for the New England Patriots.
After a disappointing 2024, the Cowboys released Elliott to respect his wishes to play for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. According to NFL insider Jordan Schulz, several playoff teams had an interest in Elliot, but the Chargers running back room had the best fit.
The Reasoning Behind Signing the Former Three-Time All-Pro
The Chargers are set to face the Houston Texans in Houston on Saturday at 1:30 P.M. PST. This marks their first playoff matchup and one that has Chargers fans optimistic.
The Texans are a banged-up team that slumped its way into the playoffs in a very weak AFC South. However, their defensive prowess and ability to rush the quarterback may keep the Chargers up at night thinking of solutions to minimize the impact of the Texans’ pass rush.
Insert Ezekiel Elliot, who is a strong pass-protecting running back.
What Does Signing Ezekiel Elliott Do for the Chargers Impending Playoff Run?
The signing of Ezekiel Elliott comes as a surprise for most Chargers fans as they seemed to have found a groove with Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal as their depth rushing pieces, even with Gus Edwards out.
Losing Edwards is unfortunate timing for the Bolts, as he was coming into his own as a runner. The Chargers relied upon the aforementioned Haskins and Vidal to replicate the rushing success of Edwards and that has been enough to keep the running game afloat.
As mentioned earlier, Elliot’s signing won’t dramatically bolster the Chargers running game. They already have that with star runner J.K. Dobbins, and depth options Haskins and Vidal. Elliott is here to help the Chargers running back room in pass protection.
The group has struggled mightily in pass protection outside of Dobbins, and with Dobbins tweaking his knee during Week 18, limiting his non-rushing snaps on the field is important for the success of this Chargers running offense.
Elliott has recorded a 59.8 PFF pass block grade on 30 snaps, which would rank second behind Dobbins on the Chargers team in both snaps and grade.
Elliot has recorded a 59.8 PFF pass block grade on 30 snaps, which would rank second behind JK Dobbins on this Chargers team in both snaps & grade.
The bolts are likely looking to minimize the amount of non-rushing snaps for Dobbins, considering he tweaked something in Week 18. https://t.co/lhgVbzRO9G
— Nate Gosney (@NateGosney) January 7, 2025
If Elliott can pick up the offense quickly and Edwards is not available to come back for this playoff run, look for Elliott to have an important role in keeping superstar Justin Herbert protected during this playoff run.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
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