Dallas Cowboys Running Back Ezekiel Elliott Available Against the Cardinals and Rams
The ongoing legal battle between Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and the National Football League (NFL) will continue next week with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit announcing that they will hear oral arguments between the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in a session scheduled for Oct. 2.
"Lawyers for Elliott and the league have been asked to provide briefs on whether Mazzant's court in Sherman has appropriate jurisdiction over the league's decision. Elliott filed his lawsuit in Mazzant's court before Henderson's final appeal decision, leading the league to argue that the Southern District of New York, in which the league filed a competing lawsuit after Henderson's decision, is the appropriate venue for the issue to be settled," Stephen Young wrote in his report for the Dallas Observer.
In the meantime, Elliott was allowed to suit up for the Cowboys while the legal process unfolds, which made him eligible to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Sept. 25. He will be with the team as well when they take on the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 1. Should the court of appeals decide to side with the NFL, Elliott may have to serve his suspension right away.
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The NFL handed Elliott a six-game suspension after they wrapped up their domestic violence investigation in August, but the running back filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the league to block the suspension, and United State District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III has ruled in his favor.
The NFL filed an appeal to have the preliminary injunction overturned two weeks ago, but Mazzant has denied the league's motion for an emergency stay. Which is why the first-team All-Pro running back is allowed to play while the case continues to make its way through the legal system.
