Former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension from the NFL was upheld following the conclusion of his appeal hearing on Tuesday.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen was the first to report the news.
Ezekiel Elliott 6 game suspension has been upheld by Harold Henderson, per source
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 6, 2017
Elliott was suspended six games by the league last month following a year-long investigation into domestic violence accusations made against the former Buckeye. The NFL found Elliott to be in violation of the league's personal conduct policy after determining that he used physical force to cause injuries to his former girlfriend on three occasions between July 17, 2016 and July 21, 2016.
Elliott and his attorneys, Frank Salzano and Scott Rosenblum, have disputed the accuracy of the investigation's findings.
"I am both surprised and disappointed by the NFL's decision today, and I strongly disagree with the league's findings," Elliott said in a tweet on August 11, the day he received his suspension.
Salzano and Rosenblum said in a statement Tuesday that they are "extremely disappointed" with the decision by NFL arbitrator Harold Henderson, who heard the appeal, and plan to continue with legal action against the NFL in federal court.
"We are extremely disappointed with Mr. Henderson's inability to navigate through league politics," the attorneys said in the statement. "Mr. Elliott is looking forward to having his day in federal court where the playing field will be level and the NFL will have to answer for its unfair and unjust practices."
Statement from Ezekiel Elliott's attorneys: pic.twitter.com/6AhGr3QOzC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2017
Elliott will be allowed to play in the Dallas Cowboys' season opener against the New York Giants on Sunday while he awaits a ruling from a federal court in Texas on a temporary restraining order that could prevent the NFL from enforcing his suspension.
NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy explained on Twitter that the league's counsel agreed with Amos Mazzant, the judge presiding over the case, not to enforce Elliott's suspension until after Week 1 so that Mazzant would have until Friday to make a ruling.
Further explanation of why Ezekiel Elliott will play Week One: pic.twitter.com/RfndmKgAnv
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) September 6, 2017
Should he be granted a restraining order, Elliott would likely be able to play the entire season for the Cowboys. If the restraining order is not granted, Elliott will be unable to participate in any games or team activities with the Cowboys from Weeks 2-7.
To sum it up: Zeke Elliott plays Sunday. Could get a restraining order to stay in the field this season. Could not get it and sit Weeks 2-7.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2017
According to The MMQB's Albert Breer, Elliott must prove two criteria in order to receive a temporary restraining order.
2 things Zeke needs to prove to get TRO:
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 6, 2017
1) Serving suspension = irreparable harm (not hard to prove)
2) Reasonable chance to win (tougher)
