Chargers add Zeke to practice squad

The Los Angeles Chargers signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott ahead of their wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans, the team announced Tuesday.

Elliott will initially join L.A.'s practice squad, but the Chargers hope he can get back up to speed quickly, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Cowboys granted Elliott's request to become a free agent and released the 29-year-old last week. He appeared in 15 games with Dallas in 2024, averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 74 attempts.

The Chargers have played the last two games without running back Gus Edwards, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Elliott gives the team immediate depth and experience behind J.K. Dobbins. Los Angeles was limited to 99 rushing yards on 30 combined attempts between Dobbins and Hassan Haskins during Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Elliott was once one of football's premier running backs. He led the NFL in rushing yards per game in three straight seasons to start his career after the Cowboys drafted him fourth overall in 2016. However, the three-time Pro Bowler hasn't been able to replicate that success in recent years, as his numbers have steeply declined.