Elliott rejoins Cowboys to fill vacancy in backfield

The Dallas Cowboys are reuniting with running back Ezekiel Elliott after agreeing to terms on a contract with the two-time NFL rushing champion, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.

Elliott returns to the Cowboys a year after they let him go in a cost-cutting move. Dallas didn’t draft a running back after moving from its starter each of the past two seasons.

Elliott, who will turn 29 as the Cowboys report for training camp, spent last season as backup to Rhamondre Stevenson in New England but started the last five games when Stephenson was injured. Elliott won rushing titles in two of his first three seasons with the Cowboys and is the third-leading rusher in franchise history, with 8,262 yards. He trails two Pro Football Hall of Famers — all-time NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith and also Tony Dorsett.

JAGUARS: Five-time Pro Bowl WR Jarvis Landry is trying to get back in the league after sitting out last season. Landry, 31, will take part in Jacksonville’s rookie minicamp May 10-11, a chance to prove he’s healthy after a nagging ankle injury in 2022.

PATRIOTS: DT Christian Barmore agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press.

BILLS: WR Quintez Cephus is back in the NFL, signing a one-year contract. Cephus was suspended last April for betting on NFL games. The Bills are trying to replace last season’s starters, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. They traded Diggs to Houston, and Davis signed with Jacksonville.

RON JENKINS/AP 2022 Ezekiel Elliott won two NFL rushing titles during his time with the Cowboys, and now he’s reportedly back on board with the team after agreeing to terms on a contract. Elliott led the league in two of his first three seasons with the Cowboys and is the third-leading rusher in team history, with 8,262 yards.