Elliott can play next two games
A federal appeals court has set oral arguments for Oct. 2 in the NFL’s bid to reinstate Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over a domestic case in Ohio, meaning the Cowboys running back will play at least two more games.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans posted the notice Friday, clearing the way for last year’s NFL rushing leader to play Monday night against the Cardinals in Arizona and at home Oct. 1 against the Rams.
The court is seeking briefs from both sides by Wednesday on the issue of U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant’s jurisdiction. The Texas judge granted Elliott’s request for an injunction that blocked the NFL’s suspension.
The NFL sought an emergency stay of Mazzant’s injunction, hoping to put the suspension back in place while Elliott’s case is in the courts.
Jets cornerback Buster Skrine has been fined $24,309 by the NFL for a helmet hit last week at Oakland.
Skrine was called for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Raiders running back DeAndre Washington in the Jets’ 42-20 loss.
The NFL also fined Giants rookie tight end Evan Engram $12,154 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he received after celebrating his first career touchdown with a questionable gesture. While dancing in the end zone after an 18-yard reception to start the second quarter, Engram appeared to reach down at his crotch — Michael Jackson-style — with his left hand.
The penalty cost the Giants, who lost 24-10, 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff. Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett might be close to making his NFL debut.
The top overall pick in this year’s draft has missed the Browns’ first two games because of a high rightankle sprain sustained earlier this month, but coach Hue Jackson has not yet ruled him out of this week’s game at Indianapolis.
The Browns are listing Garrett as “doubtful” against the Colts.
Garrett made significant progress this week after hurting his ankle during practice Sept. 6, and Jackson said Friday that the 21-year-old “is getting closer” to playing. While it remains a possibility that Garrett could play in his first regular-season game this week, it’s more likely the Browns will play it safe and sit him.
“We will be cautious with him,” Jackson said. “We will make the best decision here very shortly after we know more, see more and go from there.”
Former Giants and Jets assistant coach Dennis “Denny” Marcin has died. He was 75.
Marcin had been battling an illness and died Wednesday in Southport, N.C., according to an obituary posted on the website for Peacock, Newnam and White Funeral Home.
Marcin coached the Giants’ defensive line from 1997-2003. After leaving the Giants, Marcin coached the Jets’ defensive linemen from 2004-06.
Marcin, born in Cleveland in 1942, played at Miami University and coached in the high school ranks before returning to his alma mater to coach the RedHawks for four years. He then served as the defensive coordinator at North Carolina, where Lawrence Taylor was one of his stars.