Chargers Add Former Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott Ahead of Playoffs, Reports Say

January 9, 2026

This article was last updated by Pranaya Poudel on January 9, 2026

The Los Angeles Chargers are bolstering their running back room for the playoffs, signing former Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad, multiple sources confirmed Monday.

The move comes as the Chargers for their wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Elliott, 29, joins the Chargers after requesting his release from the Cowboys before their regular-season finale.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones granted the release to give Elliott a chance at playoff participation, showing respect for the veteran running back’s contributions to the franchise.

Chargers signing RB Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad. (via )

— NFL (@NFL)

The three-time Pro Bowler’s arrival provides timely depth for the Chargers’ backfield.

Starting running back Gus Edwards is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for two weeks, while J.K. Dobbins has battled knee issues throughout the season.

Under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have emphasized their running game, making Elliott’s addition particularly significant.

Breaking: Former RB Ezekiel Elliott is signing with the , sources tell .

Zeke wanted a chance to compete for a Super Bowl and will add valuable experience to the Bolts' offense.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)

Elliott’s 2026 season with Dallas saw him serve as a backup to Rico Dowdle, posting career lows with 74 carries for 226 yards.

However, his experience could prove valuable for the playoff-bound Chargers.

The former Ohio State standout brings postseason experience, having for 393 yards and two touchdowns in six playoff appearances.

The signing marks a new chapter for Elliott, who burst onto the NFL scene as the Cowboys’ fourth overall pick in 2016.

He led the league in rushing yards twice in his first three seasons, including a spectacular rookie campaign with 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Chargers, seeded fifth in the AFC with an 11-6 record, will face Houston’s fourth-seeded Texans (10-7).

Elliott could be elevated to the active roster for Saturday’s game, joining a backfield that includes Dobbins, Hassan Haskins, and rookie Kimani Vidal.

In Case You Didn’t Know

1. At Ohio State, he wasn’t just another player – he dominated. He was named MVP of both the 2015 Sugar Bowl and the National Championship Game and even placed eighth in the Heisman Trophy race. His stellar 2015 season, where he racked up 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns, earned him the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year award.
2. Both Elliott and J.K. Dobbins played for Ohio State, and now they’ll be playing under Jim Harbaugh, their former rival who coached Michigan.
3. Hassan Haskins, one of the Chargers’ current running backs, has been quietly effective in crucial situations. He’s converted 6 out of 10 carries on third and fourth downs when the team needed just one yard, and overall, he’s succeeded on 10 of 14 attempts on third and fourth downs this season.

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Vibhab Timsina is a content writer writing about popular culture topics, sports analysis, and keeping you up with recent internet trends. He is an avid sports fanatic and likes to keep up with various sports categories including Soccer, Formula 1, Tennis, Basketball, and more.

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