League still aims for Elliott ban

The NFL is trying to accelerate the timeline in its appeal of a federal judge’s injunction that blocked Cowboys running back sixgame suspension over a domestic violence case.

The Washington Post reported that the league believes it may yet be permitted to enforce Elliott’s ban at some point during the season, perhaps as early as Week 3.

The league quickly answered a filing from Elliott’s attorneys Wednesday, telling U.S. District Judge

that it would immediately go to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans if he hadn’t ruled on its request for a stay of his injunction Thursday.

The legal maneuverings are unlikely to keep last year’s rushing leader from playing Sunday in Denver. He had already been cleared to play in a seasonopening win over the Giants before Mazzant granted his request for an injunction.

The NFL had until Friday to respond to arguments from Elliott’s camp against Mazzant putting his injunction on hold pending hearings. In that scenario, Mazzant wouldn’t have ruled until next week.

Ezekiel Elliott’s Amos Mazzant Lynch

Two birds on the hands of

were worth $12,000 out of the pocketbook, ESPN reported.

The Raiders running back was reportedly hit with a league fine in that amount for a hand gesture during the Raiders’ 26-16 win over the Titans on Sunday.

CBS cameras caught Lynch raising middle fingers

Marshawn

in the fourth quarter in Nashville, Tenn.

Lynch made his return to the NFL in the game. He sat out last season after retiring from the Seahawks. When the Seahawks traded him to his hometown Raiders, Lynch unretired.

Odell Beckham Jr.

participated in team drills Thursday for the first time since spraining his ankle Aug. 21, going through some routes and catching passes with the rest of the Giants receivers.

Beckham looked spry stretching with the team Thursday. He seemed to have no ill effects from the ankle injury and was able to run and change direction fluidly.

His ability to practice this week should improve his chances of playing Monday night against the Lions.

The hopes of an NFL ratings comeback in the season’s opening week were washed out by Hurricane Irma coverage Sunday. According to Nielsen data, the overall audience was down 13 percent over last season, when the presidential campaign was blamed for cutting into numbers . ... Ravens RB (hamstring) was put on IR. To replace Woodhead, the Ravens promoted RB

to the active ... Vikings LB

has a hamstring injury, jeopardizing his availability against the Steelers . ... Jets LB

has a herniated disk that likely will need season-ending surgery . ... The Lions fan who posted a racist comment on social media is no longer a season-ticket holder, the team announced.

Danny Woodhead Langford

roster .

Barr Mauldin Jeremy Anthony Lorenzo