(The Sports Xchange) – A federal appeals court granted an administrative stay for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, reinstating his eligibility for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday granted the request for an administrative stay to the NFL Players Association on behalf of Elliott.
With his six-game suspension on hold once again, the 22-year-old Elliott arrived at the Cowboys’ practice facility Friday morning. He was not with the team on Wednesday and Thursday, per league rules.
A panel of federal judges will convene next week to hear Elliott’s request for an injunction that overturns Judge Katherine Polk Failla’s ruling from Monday.
The NFL dealt Elliott a six-game suspension Aug. 11 for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy relating to domestic-violence allegations by a former girlfriend. Elliott was never charged with a crime by Columbus, Ohio, authorities who investigated the allegations.
The NFLPA argued in its appeal that Elliott will sustain irreparable harm without an injunction, saying that “courts have consistently concluded that professional athletes suffer irreparable harm when threatened with a potentially wrongful suspension.”
Elliott, who currently ranks third in the league in rushing with 690 yards, had a career-high 33 carries for 150 yards in last Sunday’s 33-19 victory against the Washington Redskins. It was his third straight 100-yard game and third career game over 150 yards dating back to last season.
(Filed by Steve Keating.)
