Ellington has been released by the Buccaneers, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: With Ellington no longer in the mix, the Bucs' backfield is currently comprised of Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones Dare Ogunbowale. Ellington will now look to carve out a change-of-pace role with another team.
Sep 1, 2019 1:22 PM EST
Ellington rushed three times for nine yards and brought in both of his targets for 34 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-15 preseason win over the Cowboys on Thursday.
Analysis: Like the other two Buccaneers backs that saw carries Thursday -- Bruce Anderson and Dare Ogunbowale -- Ellington couldn't get much going on the ground, especially considering gained 11 yards on one tote and netted minus-2 on his other pair of rushing touches. It was a different story through the air, as the 30-year-old led Tampa in receiving yards and tallied a team-high 23-yard reception on one of his two grabs. The battle for the third running back role between Ellington and Ogunbowale has been a heated one all summer, and it remains to be seen who'll emerge victorious at final cuts in the coming days.
Aug 29, 2019 8:42 PM EST
Ellington rushed six times for 21 yards and brought in his sole target for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 13-12 preseason win over the Browns on Friday.
Analysis: Ellington and his primary competition for the third running back job, Dare Ogunbowale, saw almost equal opportunity in the contest, with the latter outpacing Ellington by a carry, a rushing yard and a reception apiece. Ellington did provide another solid accounting of himself in the contest and appears to still be in relatively good shape for a roster spot, assuming the team keeps at least four running backs.
Aug 24, 2019 7:16 AM EST
Ellington rushed six times for 15 yards and brought in all four targets for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 16-14 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday. He also lost a fumble.
Analysis: Ellington couldn't get much going in the running game and fumbled on the first play of the Buccaneers' third possession. However, he atoned to an extent with his sure hands. Ellington didn't see any reps in the return game as he had in the exhibition opener, but he otherwise got a fairly long look again by preseason standards. However, Dare Ogunbowale, who's battling for a backup running back job himself, outdid the veteran through the air with a 41-yard reception on his way to a 3-54 line, making next week's third preseason game against the Browns a potentially pivotal one for Ellington.
Aug 18, 2019 9:08 PM EST
Ellington rushed four times for nine yards, brought in his only target for nine yards and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards in the Buccaneers' 30-28 preseason loss to the Steelers on Friday.
Analysis: The veteran running back saw action behind the top duo of Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones as expected. Ellington couldn't do much on the ground while playing with second- and third-string offensive linemen, but he proved solid on kickoff returns during what was his first game action since 2017 with the Texans. Fellow reserve back Dare Ogunbowale paced the Buccaneers with 10 carries Friday and is also capable of returning kicks, so the battle between him and Ellington could be one that extends through the last preseason game.
Aug 10, 2019 11:59 AM EST
Ellington is one of five running backs currently remaining on the Buccaneers' roster following last Friday's release of Shaun Wilson, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The veteran reunited with former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians back on Feb. 19, when he inked a free-agent deal with the Buccaneers after spending 2018 out of the NFL. Ellington, a 2013 sixth-round pick, beat the odds over his first two seasons, rushing for 1,312 yards, adding another 766 through the air, and scoring nine total touchdowns (six rushing, three receiving). However, after a pair of forgettable campaigns in 2016 and 2017, Ellington finds himself trying to resurrect his career under the man who originally brought him into the league. The 30-year-old back is hoping to hold off Dare Ogunbowale and Bruce Anderson, both which also have special teams experience, for a backup job behind the top duo of Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones II.
Jun 24, 2019 4:15 PM EST
Ellington signed a contract with the Buccaneers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Ellington spent 2018 out of football, unable to latch on with a team after splitting the previous campaign between Arizona and Houston. A reunion with coach Bruce Arians makes sense for all parties, with the 30-year-old running back hoping to rediscover some of his magic from an impressive rookie season with the Cardinals back in 2013. Ellington will need to battle for a spot on the 53-man roster, hoping to secure a role on passing downs.
Feb 19, 2019 1:13 PM EST
News powered by