Arbitrator upholds Elliott’s suspension

Cowboys star RB will be allowed to play Sunday night.

An arbitrator upheld Ezekiel Elliott’s entire six-game suspension Tuesday night after denying his appeal, NFL Network reported.

Although the suspension was upheld, due to timing the NFL is allowing Elliott to play Sunday night against the Giants, NFL Network says.

Arbitrator Harold Henderson’s decision comes after last week’s three-day appeal hearing that included sworn testimony from the Dallas Cowboys running back regarding domestic violence accusations made against him last year. The NFL suspended Elliott last month for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Last week, the NFL Players Association filed a petition with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas last week seeking to

void the suspension. It also filed a temporary restraining order motion against Henderson’s appeal decision. U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III will determine if the suspension can be postponed while he reviews the petition. Mazzant will make a ruling by 5 p.m. CT Friday.

The NFL filed a motion to dismiss the petition on Monday, claiming the union made “an improper race to the courthouse” and arguing the NFLPA’s motion is premature because the arbitrator has not ruled yet and thus, the court must dismiss the case, according to court records obtained by NFL.com.

Bucs-Dolphins: Tampa Bay’s season opener will not be played in Miami on Sunday, but may be moved to a neutral site because of Hurricane Irma, the NFL said Tuesday.

If the game is not relocated, it will be postponed until November, when the teams share a bye week. A decision on when and where to play is expected today.

Bengals: Wide receiver and first-round pick John Ross is expected to miss at least the season opener against the Ravens with a knee sprain, NFL Network reported. Ross missed most of the offseason workouts due to shoulder surgery following his college career at Washington. After finally practicing in mid-August, Ross exited the team’s preseason finale after being injured on a 25-yard run.

Cardinals: Beefed up their offensive line by signing guard Alex Boone to a oneyear contract. The 6-foot-8, 310-pound 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.

Bills: Placed third-string quarterback T.J. Yates on the injured reserve list. Yates sustained a concussion at Baltimore on Aug. 26, and lost the backup job to rookie Nathan Peterman. He became expendable after Buffalo signed Joe Webb.

Raiders: Placed second-round pick Obi Melifonwu on injured reserve, forcing the safety to miss at least the first eight games of the season.

BOB BOOTH / TNS Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will have to rely on a favorable court ruling later this week to avoid serving a six-game suspension.