NFL WANTS COURT TO DISMISS CASE
The NFL asked a federal appeals court to dismiss Ezekiel Elliott’s entire lawsuit in its bid to lift an injunction that blocked the star Cowboys running back’s six-game suspension over a domestic violence case in Ohio.
The league wrote in a filing Wednesday to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans that the players’ union case filed on behalf of Elliott had resulted in “hopelessly doomed proceedings.”
The three-judge panel requested arguments from both sides over U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant’s jurisdiction.
The Texas judge granted Elliott’s request for an injunction while the case plays out in federal court. The NFL asked the appeals court for an emergency stay of Mazzant’s ruling, and oral arguments are set for Monday.
The 22-year-old Elliott was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell in August after the league concluded following a year-long investigation that he had several physical confrontations last summer with his girlfriend at the time. Prosecutors in Ohio didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence.
NFL attorneys cited a 2014 education case in Louisiana in which the 5th Circuit vacated an injunction and ordered the district court to dismiss all other claims.
Prosecutors in Columbus decided not to pursue the case in the city where Elliott starred for Ohio State, but the NFL kept the investigation open. The league said its conclusions were based on photographs, text messages and other electronic evidence.
Depleted Bears, Packers meet on TNF.
MILWAUKEE» Another week, another round of injuries for the Packers and Bears, who meet Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
The Bears are already down three defensive starters less than a month into the season.
By numbers alone, the Packers have had it worse, especially on the offensive line. Tackles David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and Bryan Bulaga (ankle) are on the injury report again, listed as doubtful. Kyle Murphy went on injured reserve this week, joining two other backup tackles knocked out by injuries.
Ten players are on the injury report, not including two this week placed on injured reserve. The Packers do expect receiver Randall Cobb to return Thursday from a chest injury.
Chicago lost safety Quintin Demps to a broken arm last week. The Bears have also lost linebacker Jerrell Freeman and Freeman’s replacement, Nick Kwiatkoski, to pectoral injuries.
Footnotes.
Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett, the top overall draft pick, could practice this week, and there’s an outside chance he’ll make his debut Sunday against Cincinnati. Garrett has missed Cleveland’s first three games with a high right ankle sprain suffered in the days before the season opener. … Jets running back Matt Forte is dealing with turf toe in his left foot and could miss Sunday’s game. … Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who hasn’t practiced since having surgery on his throwing shoulder in January, has been ruled out of practice this week but could return next week.