Six-game suspension of Ezekiel Elliott upheld, but Cowboys RB OK for Week 1
9:03 PM ET
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ott-dallas-cowboys-six-game-suspension-upheld
Arbitrator Harold Henderson has upheld the six-game suspension for
Dallas Cowboys running back
Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Despite the suspension being upheld, Elliott is still eligible to play in the team's season opener Sunday against the
New York Giants.
"We are extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson's inability to navigate through league politics, and follow the evidence and, most importantly, his conscious," Elliott's attorneys said in a statement.
The statement also contends that Elliott is the "victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by the National Football League and its officers to keep exonerating evidence from the decision-makers, including the advisors and Roger Goodell."
Elliott was suspended for six games of the regular season for violating the league's personal conduct policy stemming from domestic violence allegations last year. His appeal hearing was held last week, heard by arbitrator Harold Henderson in New York.
Elliott was at Cowboys practice Tuesday, preceding his appearance at the U.S. District Court in Sherman, Texas.
He was away from the team last week, but took part in meetings and a walk-through last Saturday. The Cowboys have been going through their training camp with the idea of getting Elliott ready for Week 1.
The appeal was heard over three days last week, beginning Aug. 29 and featuring more than 25 hours of testimony. Hours after his appeal hearing ended last week, Elliott and the NFL Players Association filed a petition with the U.S. District Court in Texas to vacate the arbitration decision and made a request a day later for the emergency temporary restraining order. Judge Amos Mazzant III is scheduled to hear that request Tuesday with a decision expected by Friday.
Late Monday, the NFL filed a motion to dismiss both the NFLPA's petition to vacate and the restraining order request, arguing that it is improper to seek relief from an arbitration that had not yet been made.
"I think Zeke has done an excellent job focusing on what he needs to do to get himself ready to play," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Monday.
Darren McFadden,
Rod Smith and
Alfred Morris have received work with the first-team offense in training camp practices. Elliott has only appeared in one preseason game, carrying the ball six times for 18 yards and catching two passes for 6 yards in 10 snaps against the
Oakland Raiders on. Aug. 26.
