Ezekiel Elliott released by Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have moved on from running back Ezekiel Elliott. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram was the first to report the decision.

The Cowboys will release the two-time NFL rushing champion, who will become a free agent.

The move is expected to come as soon as Wednesday afternoon, when the league’s new schedule begins at 3 pm ET. Teams must be under the salary cap at this point.

The former No. 4 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft was set to make $16.4 million. Cutting Elliott saves the Cowboys $4.86 million. If they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, Dallas would save $10.9 million. Several outlets have reported that this is their course of action.

Elliott signed a six-year, $90 million contract in 2019, and his effectiveness has declined from where it was during his peak years.

Elliott posted multiple career lows last season with 876 yards and 3.9 per carry. Tony Pollard has become the Cowboys’ leading rusher. The team tagged Pollard to a franchise fee of $10.09 million after a season in which he had career highs with 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns.

Jerry Jones said he would like to find some distance to keep both Pollard and Elliott at the NFL Combine last month.

Elliott finishes his time in a Cowboys uniform with 8,262 rushing yards, 68 rushing touchdowns and 80 total touchdowns. He ranks third in all three categories behind Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

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