DALLAS COWBOYS RUNNING back Ezekiel Elliott will serve his entire six-game suspension after an arbitrator denied his appeal last night.
However, the second-year running back is free to play against the New York Giants this weekend with the consent of the league.
Arbitrator Harold Henderson heard Elliott’s appeal at a three-day hearing last week, during which the player denied the domestic violence allegations against him.
The NFL first suspended the 22-year old for violating the league’s personal conduct policy last month.
The league issued a statement last night explaining why Elliott was permitted to play this weekend:
“In the absence of a ruling from Mr. Henderson at the outset of the hearing, the judge indicated his desire to have the appropriate time to consider all legal issues before making a ruling.
“To that end, the judge asked counsel whether it was prepared to allow Mr. Elliott’s suspension, if upheld, to begin after week one allowing him time to make that ruling.
“In deference to the judge, NFL counsel agreed that Mr. Elliott would be permitted to play this weekend regardless of the timing of the decision.”
