Court OKs Elliott’s 6-game suspension
A federal appeals court cleared the way Thursday for the NFL to impose a six-game 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 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 have a bye and don’t play until Oct. 22 against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
“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.
Last year’s NFL rushing leader as a rookie, Elliott was suspended in August by Commissioner Roger Goodell 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, citing conflicting evidence. Anthem news: Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews said he would be done playing football when asked on Twitter if he would accept a fine or penalty if the NFL instituted a new rule for the national anthem, then later deleted the tweet.
The starting receiver has stayed in the locker room during the national anthem through the last two games.
A bar in Irmo, S.C., canceled its DirecTV NFL package over players not standing for the national anthem. WISTV reported that manager Kim Lanier said Lucky’s Burger Shack nixed its package after conversations with customers over current events.
Last month, Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House in Greenville said it wouldn’t show NFL games until players stopped kneeling and began respecting the American flag. Briefly: Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert will miss the rest of the season with a back injury that has put his career in jeopardy. He had surgery on a disk in his back in December and was put on injured reserve Thursday . ... Injured Packers running back Ty Montgomery has a chance to play Sunday at Minnesota. Montgomery was listed as full participant in practice for a second straight day while wearing a flak jacket to protect ribs broken against Chicago on Sept. 28 . ... Linebacker Alec Ogletree agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams through the 2021 season.