Ezekiel Elliott is officially on the Cowboys' roster.

At least for a little while, Alfred Morris is not.

The Cowboys released Morris to clear a roster spot for Elliott, a source said Saturday. Elliott reported to the club Wednesday after reaching a six-year, $90 million contract extension. He practiced three days under a roster exemption but needed to be activated Saturday in order to play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Morris, who has been in the league since 2012, signed with the Cowboys in late July amid Elliott's holdout. Morris had a previous stint with Dallas from 2016-2017, in which he rushed for a combined 790 yards and 3 touchdowns.

He is a respected veteran presence in the locker room and, in the coming days, Morris could be re-signed, the source said.

Although the Cowboys value the running back, he nonetheless was the logical choice on who to release, given Morris would have been entitled to a full guarantee on his $930,000 salary if on the roster Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. Elliott's return also made Morris a strong candidate to be inactive Sunday.

Elliott, rookie Tony Pollard, Jordan Chunn and fullback Jamize Olawale will comprise the Cowboys' backfield to start the season. Chunn will work primarily on special teams, as Elliott and Pollard rotate throughout game.

Coaches have hinted, too, there may be occasions this season in which Elliott and Pollard share the field.

Kickoff for Dallas' season-opener against New York Sunday is set for 3:25 p.m. CT.