FRISCO -- Ezekiel Elliott's immediate football future will become much clearer by 5 p.m. Friday.
Federal judge Amos Mazzant, of the Eastern District of Texas, has promised to rule by then on whether to grant the Cowboys running back his motion for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.
If the motion is granted, Elliott will play beyond Sunday's season opener against the New York Giants, which he's already been cleared to play. If it's denied, Elliott and the NFL Players Association will have one last opportunity by appealing to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and asking for an immediate stay.