Jason Garrett: Ezekiel Elliott Will Continue To Practice Until Decision On Suspension Appeal Is Finalized

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has said that Ezekiel Elliott will continue to practice for the team until someone explicitly tells the running back not to because he remains suspended.

Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Appeal News

“We’re just going to prepare for the Giants, and Zeke will practice until someone tells him not to,” Garrett said, via ESPN.com. “And the other guys will get ready to play.”

The second-year rusher received a six-game ban from the NFL in August for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Elliott, 22, has been investigated following allegations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. 

The Cowboys are set to host the New York Giants on Sunday night for their season opener.

The NFL ruled late Monday night that Elliott does not have the legal standing to challenge his suspension in federal court.

The NFL Players Association filed a petition to vacate Elliott’s ban and requested a temporary restraining order hours after the running back’s three-day appeals hearing ended on Thursday. The NFL-appointed arbitrator, Harold Henderson, has yet to issue his ruling on Elliott’s appeal, although NFL Network insiders reported it is believed Henderson has to make a decision by 4 pm EST on Tuesday, otherwise Elliott is allowed to play on Sunday.

“The NFLPA also lacks standing to seek a contingent order preemptively challenging an award that clearly has not yet (and may never) cause it or Ezekiel Elliott any harm,” Eric Gambrell, a lawyer representing the NFL, wrote in one of the two filings presented. “And the NFLPA’s claim is unripe to boot, as even the NFLPA acknowledges that the arbitrator’s forthcoming award could still afford the NFLPA all the relief it seeks.”

Elliott missed most of last week’s practices while attending his two-and-a-half-day suspension appeal hearing.

“I think Zeke has done an excellent job focusing on what he needs to do to get himself ready to play,” Garrett said. “I think our team has done that and just a normal day. We came in and we had meeting and walk-through on Saturday and he was part of it, our whole team was a part of it, and again, our preparation for the Giants is begun.”

Elliott most recently claimed that Thompson bragged to him about sleeping with one of his former teammates, wide receiver Lucky Whitehead. 

It appears that a decision will likely come on Tuesday evening.

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)