Last week, the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with running back Ezekiel Elliott. The former Ohio State star requested his release so he could pursue an opportunity with a playoff contender as his years in the league are growing shorter. It didn’t take long for Elliott to find a new home.

The former Buckeye will be heading to the West Coast to join the L.A. Chargers. Los Angeles is currently prepping for a Wild Card game with the Houston Texans. Zeke may be past his prime in being a productive runner in the NFL, but his veteran leadership, short-yardage prowess, and excellent pass-blocking ability make him a valuable asset for the Chargers.

Elliott will be joining former teammate Joey Bosa in L.A. Bosa was the No. 3 pick by the Chargers in 2016 followed by Elliott as the No. 4 player drafted. He will also join fellow Buckeye running back J.K. Dobbins who has had a resurgence with Los Angeles after an injury-filled time in Baltimore.

Chargers signing RB Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/4DfMeA6mQv

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2025

It remains to be seen if Zeke will be able to have an impact on such short notice but he’s always been a guy willing to do the dirty work. That alone may get him some reps.

The Chargers take on the Texans in Houston on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Devin Royal had 19 points and Bruce Thornton scored five of his 18 in a second overtime as Ohio State rallied to beat Minnesota 89-88 on Monday night.

Thornton hit a 3-pointer for Ohio State (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten Conference) to begin the second extra period, Aaron Bradshaw followed with a three-point play and Ques Glover capped a 7-0 run with a layup to give the Buckeyes the lead for good.

Minnesota (8-7, 0-4) had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Mike Mitchell Jr. — a 91% free-throw shooter — missed twice with six seconds left and the Golden Gophers leading 73-71. John Mobley Jr. made two free throws with four seconds remaining to force a second extra period.

Royal stole the ball and dunked with five seconds left in regulation but missed on his chance for a three-point play, forcing overtime tied at 64.

Royal made just 5 of 14 shots from the floor, but he hit nine of his 11 free throws and added seven rebounds. Thornton made two 3-pointers and went 8 for 9 at the foul line. Glover had 13 points off the bench and Mobley scored 12. Micah Parrish added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Parker Fox had 21 points to lead the Golden Gophers. Lu’cye Patterson totaled 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Mitchell and freshman reserve Isaac Asuma both scored 18 — a season-high for Asuma.

Fox scored 11 to help Minnesota take a 28-27 lead into halftime.

Minnesota made only 12 of 27 free throws, while Ohio State sank 29 of 33.

Ohio State will host No. 15 Oregon on Thursday. Minnesota travels to play Wisconsin on Friday.

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Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor filed a class-action lawsuit against Ohio State University, the NCAA, the Big Ten Conference, and Learfield Communications back in October 2024.

Since the initial action, new developments have surfaced from the defendant’s side of the case.

Pryor began seeking compensation after accusing the aforementioned entities of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. Pryor alleged that the use of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) was used to monopolize profits.

He alleges that they are still profiting from use of his NIL.

On Friday, a “trio of dismissal bids” were filed by the defendants, arguing that Pryor’s legal case was riddled with flaws.

Learfield Communications, the media firm involved in the case, has argued that their entity, along with that of Ohio State, should have immunity against such lawsuits. The Big Ten and NCAA filed their dismissal bids on the platform that Pryor waited too long, and his claims should no longer be eligible for the court’s attention.

Pryor has been out of the college football scene for 14 years, according to the dismissal bids.

The NCAA and Big Ten are using this fact to argue the validity of his lawsuit should be questioned, as his involvement in the program has more than surpassed the statute of limitations.

The Clayton Act has a four-year statute of limitations for federal antitrust claims.

Pryor is not the first athlete to raise questions against the NCAA and other sports groups in collegiate sports, but he has designated himself as something of a spokesperson. He cited a past experience when he and a group of his teammates were suspended for trading their autographs for tattoos.

Examples like that are circling the NCAA, and past athletes are pressing to gain any ounce of compensation they can.

Having to deal with a separate lawsuit, Ohio State had to come up with their own defense against Pryor’s allegations.

Ohio State cited the Eleventh Amendment in their defense, stating that the sovereign immunity afforded to the states would protect the Buckeye institution because Pryor is not an Ohio resident.

Learfield Communications went along with Ohio State’s citation of the Eleventh Amendment, adding their contract with the state school provided them the same protections under the sovereign immunity point.

The case is known as Pryor v. NCAA et al., and therefore, Pryor will have to face each entity’s defense in order to emerge victorious.