NFL and Elliott continue court battle
The NFL is asking for a dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is seeking to block his six-game suspension.
The NFL is asking a federal appeals court to dismiss Ezekiel Elliott’s entire lawsuit in its bid to lift an injunction that blocked the star Dallas 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 court 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 a yearlong 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.
Miami linebacker apologizes for going AWOL
Miami Dolphins’ linebacker Lawrence Timmons apologized publicly to the Miami Dolphins and their fans for going AWOL on the eve of the season opener, but declined to say it won’t happen again.
Coach Adam Gase said his trust in Timmons has been restored, and the veteran might play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in London.
Timmons was suspended indefinitely after he vanished before Miami’s win at the Los Angeles Chargers. The 11th-year veteran shed no light Wednesday regarding what transpired, but said he was sorry and didn’t want to be a distraction.
“I’m just happy to be a Miami Dolphin again,” Timmons said. “I just want to play football and be the best I can.”
Packers, Bears banged up heading into Thursday night’s game
Another week, another round of injuries for the Green Bay Packers.
This week has been especially unkind for coach Mike McCarthy’s offensive line, with a short turnaround from an overtime game on Sunday to face the Chicago Bears on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
Don’t look for sympathy from Bears coach John Fox. He is already down three defensive starters less than a month into the season, and the Bears are also coming off an overtime win.
“Nobody is going to come rescue us,” Fox said. “I think we’re playing a game Thursday night, so we’ll do our best to get ready for it.”
The latest installment of the NFL’s oldest rivalry is a meeting between teams trying to make it to the long weekend off that follows a Thursday game without anyone else getting hurt.