Elliott suspension back in play
A federal appeals court cleared the way yesterday for the NFL to impose a sixgame suspension on Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott over domestic violence allegations, siding with the league in the latest high-profile fight over its
ability to punish players for off-field behavior.
In a 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans granted the league’s emergency request to set aside an injunction and ordered a district court in Texas to dismiss Elliott’s case.
The NFL announced that the suspension was effective immediately, though further appeals were possible and the Cowboys are not playing this weekend.
“We are currently exploring all of our legal options and will make a decision as to what is the best course of action in the next few days,” Elliott attorney Frank Salzano said.
The Cowboys don’t play again until Sunday, Oct. 22, at San Francisco. If Elliott’s legal team can’t put the suspension on hold again, he won’t be eligible to play until Nov. 30 at home against Washington, a Thursday night game the week after Thanksgiving. Elliott played the first five games as Dallas went 2-3 in a disappointing start.
A federal judge in Texas issued the injunction blocking the suspension last month, agreeing with NFL players’ union attorneys who argued that the investigation of the allegations in Ohio and a subsequent appeal were unfair to Elliott, one of the league’s standout running backs.
The NFL countered that it followed procedures under the league’s labor deal and that the union improperly filed a lawsuit before the appeals process was complete.
“The NFLPA is reviewing the decision and considering all options,” the players’ union said in a statement last night. “The appellate court decision focuses on the jurisdictional issues. The failures of due process by the NFL articulated in the District Court’s decision were not addressed.”
Elliott was suspended in August after the league concluded following a yearlong investigation that he had several physical confrontations in the summer of 2016 with Tiffany Thompson, his girlfriend at the time.
Prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio, decided not to pursue the case in the city where Elliott starred for Ohio State, citing conflicting evidence.
Eifert goes on IR
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert will miss the rest of the season with a back injury that has put his career in jeopardy.
The fifth-year veteran missed half of last season with ankle and back injuries. He had surgery on a disc in his back last December. He aggravated it in the second game this season, forcing him to consider another procedure.
He’s been inactive for the past three games and was put on injured reserve yesterday.
Landry rips Fish fans
Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry lashed out at fans who lobbied for quarterback Jay Cutler to be benched, saying they’re an embarrassment to players.
Cutler drew jeers while struggling through much of the Dolphins’ home debut Sunday, before his fourthquarter touchdown pass to Landry helped beat the Tennessee Titans 16-10. The crowd chanted repeatedly for backup quarterback Matt Moore.
“Jay is our quarterback, and we stand by him,” Landry said. “We don’t buy into the fans — ‘Who do you want to play quarterback?’ I believe it’s disrespectful. A man who comes out here and works his butt off, for people to not understand what’s going on, or not to have even touched the field before ... They don’t understand the situation. They just want to be on Twitter or start a damned chant.
“It’s embarrassing as a player to have fans like that. It’s embarrassing.” . . .
The NFL is keeping an eye on the wildfires in Northern California and has been exploring options to move Sunday’s game between the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers if it becomes necessary.
Michael Signora, the NFL’s vice president of football communications, said the league is getting updates on the situation from both teams and from city officials in Oakland.