Federal Court Reinstates Ezekiel Elliott’s Six-Game Suspension

A federal appeals court on Thursday lifted a district court’s injunction that blocked a six-game ban for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Ezekiel Elliott Six-Game Suspension News

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court in New Orleans overturned a district court’s decision: the three-judge panel voted 2-1 to support the NFL’s argument.

The Cowboys have a bye this week.

However, the NFLPA is expected to re-file the case with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in order to keep Elliott playing, according to Gabe Feldman, director of the Tulane Sports Law Program.

“At the time the NFLPA filed the complaint, it was possible the arbitrator could have issued a final decision that was favorable to Elliott. Elliott cannot show it was futile to wait for a final decision simply because he believed the arbitrator would issue an unfavorable ruling. As there was no final decision, Elliott had not yet exhausted the contracted-for remedies.”

District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III issued the preliminary injunction last month after concurring with the Players’ Association that 22-year-old Elliott did not receive a fair suspension appeal hearing from arbitrator Harold Henderson, who was appointed by commissioner Roger Goodell. 

Goodell suspended Elliott following a year-long probe into domestic violence allegations made by his former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson regarding an incident that transpired in July 2016.

Given the six-game suspension, Elliott — a second-year running back who set the league record for rushing yards as a rookie — would not be eligible to return until Week 13, when the Cowboys host the Washington Redskins.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)