Elliott says the fight to play is worth it

Ezekiel Elliott felt a “burst of adrenalin” surge through the Dallas Cowboys locker room after a court freed him to play Sunday rather than begin a six-game suspension. He also blasted the claims against him, saying: “I’m not an abuser.”

“My energy level is high like the rest of this team,” the running back said after a federal appeals judge in New York ruled Friday he can play at least one more game — at home against Kansas City — before a three-judge panel takes up his case.

His status after Sunday will be decided by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, perhaps as early as next week.

Elliott assailed what he said was the NFL’s attempt to muddy his name, saying a prolonged fight in the courts was worthwhile.

“This is bigger than a suspension. It’s bigger than football. Them trying to make me something I’m not. I’m not an abuser,” he said.

“This is my name and this is my reputation. This is something I’m going to have to live with beyond football. Every day is worth fighting.”

Texans

With Deshaun Watson’s year done, Houston will look to Tom Savage to try and salvage their season. Coach Bill O’Brien confirmed that Watson was out for the season Friday, a day after the star rookie quarterback tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees in practice. O’Brien said he didn’t have any other details, and wouldn’t say if Watson will have surgery.

Jaguars

Running back Leonard Fournette and center Brandon Linder will be back in the starting lineup Sunday against Cincinnati. Fournette missed the team’s last game at Indianapolis with a sprained right ankle. Linder sat out the last three games with an undisclosed illness.

Packers

Speaking for the first time since fracturing his right collarbone in an Oct. 15 loss to Minnesota, Aaron Rodgers said he wants to play again this season. “I’m always positive,” Rodgers said. “It comes down to how fast the bone heals. If it heals and we’re in the right position, there’s a conversation.”