Court OKs Elliott suspension
A federal appeals court cleared the way Thursday for theNFL to impose a sixgame suspension on Dallas Cowboys star 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 5th 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.
TheNFL announced that the suspension was effective immediately, though further appeals were possible and the Cowboys are not playing this weekend.
“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.
The Cowboys don’t play again until next Sunday, Oct. 22, at the 49ers. If Elliott’s legal team can’t put the suspension on hold again, he won’t be eligible to play until Nov. 30 at home against Washington, a Thursday night game the week after Thanksgiving. Elliott played the first five games.
A federal judge in Texas issued the injunction blocking the suspension last month, agreeing with NFL players’ union attorneys who argued that the investigation of the allegations in Ohio and a subsequent appeal were unfair to Elliott, one of the league’s standout running backs.
“The NFLPA is reviewing the decision and considering all options,” the players’ union said in a statement Thursday. “The appellate court decision focuses on the jurisdictional issues. The failures of due process by the NFL articulated in the District Court’s decision were not addressed.”
The NFL countered that it followed procedures under the league’s labor deal and that the union improperly filed a lawsuit before the appeals process was complete. EAGLES 28, PANTHERS 23 » Carson Wentz threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns to help Philadelphia improve to an NFC-best 5-1. Cam Newton threw three interceptions for Carolina (4-2).
Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was placed into the concussion protocol after his body crumpled following a collision with Eagles pulling guard Brandon Brooks. Kuechlymissed nine games over the past two seasons with two concussions. All of the Eagles’ touchdowns came after Kuechly left the game late in the second quarter. BEN GALS’ E IF OR T CAREER IN JEOPARDY » Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert will miss the rest of the season with a back injury that has put his career in jeopardy. The fifth-year veteran missed half of last season with ankle and back injuries. He had surgery on a disc in his back last December. He aggravated it in the second game this season, forcing him to consider another procedure. LINEBACKER GETS EXTENSION FROM RAMS » Linebacker Alec Ogletree, in his fifth season, agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams through the 2021 season. EARTHQUAKE RELIEF » The NFL and the Patriots, Raiders and Steelers will together contribute $200,000 to support disaster relief efforts following last month’s earthquake inMexico City. The money will go to Banorte’s Fundación Banorte, which is a local bank involved with relief efforts.