Ezekiel Elliot Will Play Sunday Despite 6 Game NFL Suspension

ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported that Ezekiel Elliot's 6 game suspension has been upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson. However, since the decision was made after the league's Tuesday 4pm deadline he will play week 1 at home against the New York Giants.

There is also a legitimate chance he could play the entire 2018 season. The former Ohio State RB spent 2 hours in a courtroom today in Sherman, TX seeking a temporary restraining order on the NFL's ruling. On Friday, Judge Amos L. Mazziant III will decide on a preliminary injunction motion focusing only on the overall fairness of the case.

This would allow Elliot to play the entire 2017 season with legal proceedings not expected to take place in the 2018 offseason. This is reminiscent of Judge Richard A. Berman's Deflategate ruling in Sept. 2015 allowing Tom Brady to play the entire 2015 NFL season.

With the NFL expected to appeal any ruling Friday not in their favor, this could last a while in the news cycles. Roger Goodell now has the potential to alienate another influential NFL owner in Jerry Jones. Along with Robert Kraft this could have an impact on the contract extension currently being discussed for Goodell. Perhaps this will lead to a growing sentiment to remove the commissioner.

For the Cowboys, having Elliot in action for Week 1 is a serious upgrade over a Darren McFadden/Alfred Morris backfield committee. If you reached for McFadden on your fantasy team this year, you could be in for some disappointment. For Elliot, it remains to be seen if the time in court and overall public perception will have an effect on his performance on the field.