Former Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott is pleased to be back with the Dallas Cowboys.
Elliott announced his return to the team that selected him with a three-word greeting to supporters on social media. “Run it back,” Elliott wrote in all caps on X. Elliott is also running it back in another way.
The Alton, Illinois native wore No. 21 in his first stint with the Cowboys, but after returning to his old Buckeyes number of 15 in one season in New England last year, he’ll wear No. 15 for the Cowboys this season. To accommodate the adjustment, backup quarterback Trey Lance will swap to No. 19.
After racking up 3,961 yards on 592 runs in three seasons at Ohio State, Dallas selected Elliott as the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Over the next seven seasons, he ran the ball 1,881 times for 8,262 yards and 71 touchdowns before being released prior to the 2023 season in a salary cap manoeuvre.
Elliott signed in New England last year and accumulated 642 yards on 184 carries, including three touchdowns on the ground. After a lengthy process, Elliott has returned to Dallas, where he belongs. “It feels great to be home,” he stated during an interview with the Cowboys’ official team website.
“I really missed being here. This structure escaped my notice. I missed Cowboys Nation. I’m absolutely enthusiastic and ready to get this thing started.