The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to travel to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. With one month of play under our belt, the injuries around the league have started piling up.
The New England Patriots lost RB Antonio Gibson to a torn ACL last week, and the Los Angeles Chargers had to place RB Omarion Hampton on IR with an ankle injury. That comes after the Chargers lost Najee Harris for the year with a torn Achilles.
Meanwhile, teams like the Jets, Cardinals, Panthers, and Buccaneers are also dealing with contributors missing time in the backfield. With several openings in the NFL, this could be one of the last chances that Ezekiel Elliott has to get back into the league.
Ezekiel Elliott’s Services Could Be Used Around the NFL Now
The days of Elliott being the lead workhorse in the backfield are long gone, but there could be a pathway to him being signed by a franchise as a depth piece in the backfield. Last season with the Cowboys, Elliott managed to produce only 226 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 3.1 yards per carry.
Those were all career lows for the Ohio State product, as he appeared to have lost the burst and explosiveness he once had. Nonetheless, for teams that need someone to come in for a reduced role, that could be where Elliott could find his footing back in the NFL.
During his career with the Cowboys and New England Patriots, Elliott recorded 9,130 rushing yards, 74 rushing touchdowns, 2,718 receiving yards, and 14 receiving scores. He's someone who would come in and help in short-yardage situations while also being a factor on third down due to his pass-catching/pass-blocking abilities.
It's not the best sign that Elliott hasn't been able to land with any teams after the calendar turned over to October. However, recent injuries around the league could open the door for him, as needs have changed throughout the league since training camp ended.
Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but the chances around the league are there. Teams with RB injuries will likely try to find a replacement in-house, yet if those players don't pan out, adding Elliott may be a solid choice.
The ending for Elliott's career appears to be closer than ever, and whether he gets another opportunity in the coming weeks will be telling.