FRISCO, Texas - Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones issued a statement on Tuesday, just minutes following the official release of Ezekiel Elliott.
This marks the second time now the Cowboys have parted ways with Zeke, one of the most accomplished players in team history.
However, this one is a bit more surprising, considering the team has one game left to play in the season.
The Cowboys, eliminated from playoff contention, play host to the Washington Commanders on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in the season finale.
But Jones gave the reasons of the timing of Zeke's release in his statement, issued by the team.
"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.
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."
Jones' admiration for Zeke was on display during the 2017 season, when the NFL and Elliott had an ongoing saga that stemmed from an alleged off-the-field incident when he was at Ohio State. Jones went up against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell in his support for Zeke, who was suspended, then appealed it before he eventually sat out six games.
Elliott currently ranks third in Cowboys history in both rushing yards with 8,488 and in rushing touchdowns with 71, including three this season.
But the season didn't go as planned for Zeke, who spent last year with the Patriots and returned with the chance to start once again for the team that drafted him No. 4 overall back in 2015. While Zeke did start the first game of the season in Cleveland, and scored a rushing touchdown, he never found the rhythm with this offense.
Elliott was credited with just two starts overall and has just 226 rushing yards with a 3.1 average. Both are career-lows at this point.
The biggest headline involving Zeke this season occurred before the Atlanta game when he was left at home in a decision both Jones and Mike McCarthy said was the best for the team. But he returned to action the next week and his role as the primary backup to Rico Dowdle continued. Dowdle has 1,007 rushing yards and ranks 14th in the NFL with a game to play.
As for Zeke, he can be claimed off waivers and join a team for the rest of the season and playoffs.
