Elliott gets at least one more game
Running back can play Sunday during appeal, judge says.
Ezekiel Elliott felt a “burst of adrenaline” surge through the Cowboys locker room after a court freed him to play Sunday rather than begin a six-game suspension. He also blasted the claims against him, saying: “I’m not an abuser.”
“My energy level is high like the rest of this team,” the star running back said at his locker after a federal appeals judge in New York ruled Friday he can play at least one more game — at home against Kansas City — before a three-judge panel takes up his case.
His status after Sunday will be decided by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, perhaps as early as next week.
Elliott assailed what he said was the NFL’s attempt to muddy his name, saying a prolonged fight in the courts was worthwhile.
“This is bigger than a suspension. It’s bigger than football. Them trying to make me something I’m not. I’m not an abuser,” he said. “That’s not who I am. This is my name and this is my reputation. This is something I’m going to have to live with beyond football. Every day is worth fighting.”
The Elliott suspension has been weaving through the courts since he was ordered in August to serve the ban for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The suspension came after the NFL investigated his alleged use of force in the summer of 2016 against his girlfriend.
Texans: With Deshaun Watson’s year done, Houston will look to Tom Savage to try and salvage their season. Coach Bill O’Brien confirmed that Watson was out for the season a day after the star rookie quarterback tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees at practice. O’Brien said he didn’t have any other details on the injury and wouldn’t say if Watson will have surgery.
League fines: Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis was fined $48,620 by the NFL for his hit on Tampa Bay wide receiver Adam Humphries.
Davis, the league’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2014, posted on Instagram that he was unhappy with the fine and insisted the hit was legal. He was penalized for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Davis added that he was appealing the fine.
Miami’s Kiko Alonso was docked $9,115 for his hit on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, who suffered a concussion on the play. Dolphins defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh was not fined for either of his two unnecessary roughness penalties in that game, including one for shoving Ravens backup QB Ryan Mallett by the throat.
Denver safety Justin Simmons was fined $24,309 for his unnecessary roughness penalty on an incomplete pass to Kansas City’s Demarcus Robinson.
Packers: Speaking with reporters for the first time since fracturing his right collarbone, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he wants to play again this season and is hoping backup Brett Hundley can keep the team in contention. “It comes down to how fast the bone heals,” Rodgers said. “If it heals and we’re in the right position, there’s a conversation.”
Meantime, linebacker Vince Biegel, who had been out with a foot injury, was activated.
Jaguars: Will have running back Leonard Fournette and center Brandon Linder back in the lineup. Fournette missed the last game with a sprained right ankle, and Linder sat out three games with an illness.
Raiders: Will be without cornerbacks David Amerson (foot), Gareon Conley (shin) and Demetrius McCray (knee) on Sunday at Miami.
Rams: Placed safety Cody Davis (thigh) on injured reserve.
Thursday’s Games Friday’s games
Bulls 105, (at) Magic 83: Justin Holiday scored 19 points and Robin Lopez had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago. The Bulls had seven players score in double figures in their first road win of the season.
Cavaliers 130, (at) Wizards 122: LeBron James scored 57 points — the second-highest total of his career and an NBA-best this season — to help Cleveland end a four-game skid. James hadn’t scored this much since getting a careerhigh 61 for Miami on March 3, 2014, against Charlotte.
(At) 76ers 121, Pacers 110: J.J. Redick scored 31 points and hit three decisive 3-pointers late and Ben Simmons had a triple-double as Philadelphia moved above .500 for the first time in nearly four years.
(At) Pistons 105, Bucks 96: Andre Drummond scored 14 of his 24 points in the third quarter as Detroit defeated Milwaukee. Avery Bradley added 23 points for the Pistons.
Rockets 119, (at) Hawks 104: James Harden scored 21 of his 29 in the first half as Houston handed Atlanta its eighth straight loss. Eric Gordon and Luc Mbah a Moute each scored 20 points for Houston, which is 6-1 on the road.
(At) Knicks 120, Suns 107: Kristaps Porzingis scored 37 points for New York, giving Jeff Hornacek his first victory over his former team.
(At) Spurs 108, Hornets 101: Bryn Forbes scored 22 to help San Antonio snap a four-game skid.
Pelicans 99, (at) Mavericks 94: Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, and DeMarcus Cousins added 20 points and 22 rebounds.
Heat at Nuggets: Late
Raptors at Jazz: Late
Celtics at Thunder: Late
Nets at Lakers: Late
NBA notes
Lakers: Forward Larry Nance Jr. will be sidelined for at least four weeks after having surgery to repair his broken left hand.