Ezekiel Elliott appears out in Dallas and Bucs will be interested

TAMPA ― Running back Ezekiel Elliott is set to part ways with the Cowboys and the two-time rushing champion will be looking for a new team, according to multiple reports.

The Bucs are expected to be interested.

Former Cowboys coach Skip Peete is now coaching that position for Tampa Bay and has an opening for a veteran running back after the team officially releases Leonard Fournette later today.

In fact, in discussions with the agents for other free-agent running backs, the Bucs expressed their interest in Elliott if he were to be released.

The No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL draft, Elliott is set to earn a non-guaranteed $10.4 million salary in 2023 and counted $16.4 million against the salary cap.

The writing for Elliott has been on the wall since the Cowboys used their franchise player tag on running back Tony Pollard.

Injuries have been part of Elliott’s story. He missed two games last season with a hyperextended knee and played the final 10 games with a brace on it. The injury did not, however, require surgery.

Elliott will finish his Cowboys career with 8,262 rushing yards and 68 rushing touchdowns. Last season, Elliott posted career lows with 876 rushing yards and a 3.8-yard average.

The Bucs are high on second-year running back Rachaad White and Ke’Shawn Vaughn. But they could use a savvy veteran who is a devastating blocker in pass protection. Elliott is a complete back with 2,336 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

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