Elliott ban upheld, but he’ll play Sunday

An arbitrator denied Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal of a six-game suspension in a domestic-violence case Tuesday, but the 2016 NFL rushing champion will play in the opener because of the timing of the decision.

Elliott attorney Jeffrey Kessler told the judge near the end of a nearly 2½-hour hearing in federal court that Elliott’s suspension was sustained by arbitrator Harold Henderson.

At the start of the hearing, NFL attorney Daniel Nash told the judge it was “his understanding” that Elliott could play Sunday night against the New York Giants because the league didn’t want to rush the judge.

U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant said he would rule on Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining order by Friday. If the request is denied and no further legal action taken, Elliott’s suspension would start in Week 2 at Denver.

Elliott was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell after the league concluded he had physical confrontations last summer with Tiffany Thompson, an ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors in Ohio didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence. Ex-49ers news: The Jets signed wide receiver Jeremy Kerley to a one-year deal, reuniting with a player who spent his first five NFL seasons with the franchise. He had a career-high 64 catches last season for the 49ers . ... NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, citing sources, said former 49ers defensive lineman Quinton Dial has signed with the Packers ... The Cardinals beefed up their offensive line by signing guard Alex Boone to a one-year contract. 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 seasons with San Francisco. Niners add Boulware: The 49ers signed inside linebacker Ben Boulware, a captain of last season’s national-title team at Clemson, to fill the final spot on their practice squad.

Boulware, who went undrafted, was waived by the Panthers on Saturday. Last season, he won the Lambert Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top linebacker, and was named the defensive MVP of Clemson’s national-championship win over Alabama.

Despite his resume, Boulware wasn’t drafted because of his size (6-1, 235) and other factors. His 40-yard dash (4.86 seconds) and vertical jump (29.5 inches) tied for lowest among linebackers at the combine.

Boulware had one tackle in the preseason for Carolina, which visits the 49ers in the season opener Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.