NFL notes: Suspension upheld, but Elliott playing Sunday
SHERMAN, Texas — Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s attorneys say his six-game NFL suspension over a domestic violence case has been upheld, but he will play the Cowboys’ season opener because of the timing of the arbitrator’s decision.
Elliott attorney Jeffrey Kessler told the judge near the end of a two-hour-plus hearing in federal court Tuesday night that Elliott’s suspension was sustained by arbitrator Harold Henderson.
At the start of the hearing, NFL attorney Daniel Nash said Elliott could play Sunday night against the New York Giants because Henderson’s ruling came too late in the day for it to be enforced this weekend.
Elliott’s attorneys said they were “extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson’s inability to navigate through league politics, and follow the evidence.”
U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant said he would rule on Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining order by Friday.
Dolphins game moving
DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not be played in Miami this week but may be moved to a neutral site because of Hurricane Irma, the NFL said Tuesday.
If the game is not relocated, it will be postponed until November, when the teams share the same bye week.
Kickoff had been scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT, but Irma is forecast to threaten South Florida this weekend. The NFL decided against switching the game to Thursday night in Miami.
“In the interest of public safety in light of the current state of emergency, the NFL, in consultation with state and local officials as well as both clubs, has decided that playing an NFL game in South Florida this week is not appropriate,” the league said in a released statement.
“The league will continue to examine other options, including playing the game this Sunday at a neutral site or in Miami later this season.”
A decision on when and where to play is expected today.
“We’re going to keep practicing and getting ready for the game until somebody tells us different,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said.
“I want to play today if we could,” Miami receiver Jarvis Landry said.
The teams would prefer to avoid moving the game to the weekend of Nov. 19, because it would mean both teams would play their entire season without a break.
“Like 16 weeks straight?”
Landry said. “It’s a long season, let’s be honest about it. We could use that bye.”
FAA OKs Raiders site
LAS VEGAS — The Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the Oakland Raiders’ proposed stadium in Las Vegas would not be a hazard to aircraft.
The federal agency’s decision announced Tuesday clears the way for officials in Nevada’s Clark County to consider approving construction permits. County officials are expected to consider zoning permits at a meeting today.
The FAA last month issued a notice requesting public comments on the proposed 65,000seat stadium. It later cut the five-week public comment period by three weeks. The change allowed the $1.9 billion project to stay on schedule.
The agency’s review of the project concerned the stadium’s proposed 225-foot height.
The Raiders want to play in Las Vegas in 2020. Their ambitious construction timeline for the partly tax-funded stadium calls for some site work to begin by December.
Falcons sign LB Tripp
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons completed their roster for Sunday’s season opener at Chicago by signing linebacker Jordan Tripp, who played nine games last season for Seattle and Green Bay.
The Falcons also announced Tuesday that offensive guard Jamil Douglas is taking the final spot on the practice squad.
Tripp was a fifth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2014. After playing 13 games as a rookie, he moved to Jacksonville in 2015 and got in 12 games with one start.
Douglas also is a former Miami draft pick, selected in the fourth round in 2015. He started six games for the Dolphins before being bumped to the practice squad. He was on the New England practice
squad last season.
Cards add guard Boone
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have beefed up their offensive line by signing guard Alex Boone to a one-year contract.
The 6-foot-8, 310-pound Boone started 14 games for Minnesota last season after signing a four-year, $26 million contract with the Vikings. But the offensive line struggled and the Vikings released him in the final roster cuts last week.
Boone played his first seven NFL seasons with San Francisco. He played in 77 games for the 49ers, 59 as a starter. He was the starting guard in the 49ers’ Super Bowl game against Baltimore.
Offensive line is probably the biggest question mark for the Cards, and Boone could compete for the right guard spot currently held by second-year pro Evan Boehm. Boone has played both left and right guard in his career.
Kerley returns to Jets
NEW YORK — The New York Jets have signed wide receiver Jeremy Kerley to a one-year deal, reuniting with a player who spent his first five NFL seasons with the franchise.
To make room on the roster Tuesday, the Jets waived fullback Julian Howsare.
Kerley adds a veteran presence and familiar face to a mostly inexperienced receiving group. With 246 catches, the 28-year-old Kerley has the most receptions among the team’s receivers. Jermaine Kearse, acquired from Seattle last Friday for Sheldon Richardson, is next with 153. Kerley also likely will serve as the Jets’ primary punt returner.
Kerley was a fifth-round pick of the Jets out of TCU in 2011. He was released in March 2016, signed with Detroit and traded before the season to San Francisco, where he had a career-high 64 catches. The 49ers released him last Saturday.