Union fight continues for Elliott
THE union for NFL players has turned to a federal appeals court in its quest to let Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott play Sunday at home against Kansas City as he fights his six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations.
Union lawyers say Elliott’s suspension should be delayed until the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers the issue. League lawyers had no immediate comment. The NFL Players Association first asked U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla to suspend her Monday ruling reinstating the suspension during an appeal. But she refused Tuesday, so the file was moved to the appeals court.
Elliott, 22, was suspended in August after the league investigated several alleged physical confrontations in the summer of 2016 with his then-girlfriend.
The union told Failla that she erred by ruling that the NFL’s claims were supported by federal labor law because the league followed the collective bargaining agreement in suspending Elliott.
Lawyers for the NFLPA said Failla was the first judge ever to have “concluded that professional athletes with short career spans do not face irreparable harm” when suspensions are enforced before appeals options have been exhausted.
The judge had concluded that some of the reasons for Elliott’s claim that he’ll suffer irreparable harm during a suspension were “far too speculative” given all the variables, including the Cowboys’ overall offensive performance, his opponents’ defensive showing and Elliott’s health.
EAGLES LAND AJAYI: The NFL-leading Eagles bolstered their running attack, acquiring Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins for a 2018 fourth-round draft pick hours before the trade deadline. Ajayi has 465 yards rushing and is averaging 3.4 yards per carry with no touchdowns. He went to the Pro Bowl last season after running for 1,272 yards, including three 200-yard games.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase signaled his displeasure with Ajayi last week after Miami was routed, 40-0, at Baltimore, noting missed blocking assignments in pass protection. “The running back, we never blocked the right guy,” Gase said. “I don’t even know if we know who we’ve got. We’ve got to get that fixed.”
LeGarrette Blount leads Philadelphia with 467 yards rushing and is averaging 4.7 yards a carry with two touchdowns. Roseman said Blount remains the starter and he’s confident Ajayi won’t create problems. “We weren’t going to bring anyone here that would disrupt team chemistry,” Eagles vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said. “We feel very confident and comfortable about the player.”
BILLS ADD BENJAMIN: Buffalo acquired receiver Kelvin Benjamin from the Carolina Panthers. Carolina acquired Buffalo’s third and seventh-round picks in next year’s draft.