Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been able to play in the team's first two games of the season under a temporary restraining order granted by a Texas district court. Even though the NFL issued a six-game suspension for Elliott in August following a domestic violence investigation, the temporary restraining order stops the suspension from going into effect while the appeals process plays out.
However, there's a chance that Elliott could start serving that suspension this week and miss Monday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Elliott's case is currently before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, and if they rule that the suspension should be reinstated, commissioner Roger Goodell can choose to have Elliott start serving his six-game ban this weekend.
"We have some discretion and the commissioner will make a decision on eligibility based on when we get something from the court of appeals," said Joe Lockhart, the league's executive vice president of communications, according to the Dallas Morning News. "We don't want to create any false deadlines here.
"We'll know when we know."
A U.S. District Court Judge in Texas ruled on Monday to deny the NFL's attempt to get the suspension immediately reinstated, sending the case to New Orleans.
It's unclear when if an individual judge or three-member motions panel will hear the case, but the decision will be something that could drastically impact the Cowboys' season.
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In two games this season, Elliott has rushed for 112 yards on 33 carries.
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