Jim Harbaugh Hypes Ezekiel Elliott: 'Got Some Bruises from Days Competing Against' RB

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh knows what it's like to compete against Ezekiel Elliott, but the running back will be on his side heading into the NFL playoffs after the AFC West team signed the veteran.

"Yeah, like most people who watch football, very familiar," Harbaugh told reporters Tuesday when asked if he was familiar with Elliott. "And personally, I've got some bruises from days competing against Zeke. It's great to see him, he's here and we'll start having at it today."

Harbaugh's "bruises" came from the college game, as Elliott led Ohio State to a dominant 42-13 victory over the coach's Michigan Wolverines during the 2015 edition of the heated rivalry.

The star running back tallied 214 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and left little doubt about the outcome in Harbaugh's first game in the rivalry as the head coach of Michigan. The Buckeyes defeated the head coach in each of their first five meetings, although the Wolverines now have bragging rights following four straight wins of their own.

Elliott parlayed a dominant college career into becoming the No. 4 overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. He led the league in rushing yards in two of his first three NFL seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and was on the short list of the best running backs in the league.

However, the 29-year-old hasn't resembled that version of himself of late and averaged just 3.1 yards per carry for the Cowboys in 2024 before he and the team went their separate ways.

Harbaugh may have memories of the dominant version of Elliott, but the Ohio State product will likely be nothing more than a backup behind J.K Dobbins and Hassan Haskins throughout the team's playoff run.