Cowboys’ Elliott gets reprieve from court, will play

NEW YORK » Ezekiel Elliott felt a “burst of adrenalin” surge through the Dallas 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.”

Elliott, smiling at times, said he “threw a sweat shirt on, grabbed my backpack and was on my way here” as soon as his agent notified him Friday morning. He had been away from the team for three days this week because of the suspension.

“I kind of felt, a little bit, it seemed like a burst of adrenaline in this team when I came in the locker room and everyone saw me and realized I was going this week,” he said.

He said he’d welcomed a few off days when he ran but also recovered from a “heavy load” last Sunday, when he rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-19 victory at Washington.

“I’m fresh. I feel fresh,” he said.