Ezekiel Elliott’s 6-game suspension upheld by arbitrator Tuesday, per report

Elliott was never arrested or charged and has maintained his innocence.

Elliott’s team was reportedly prepared for this outcome.as Henderson denied a request to have Thompson testify at the appeal proceeding. Henderson had previously presided over Greg Hardy’s and Adrian Peterson’s appeals. Henderson could vacate, uphold or reduce the suspension.

The union’s petition alleges the league deliberately hid critical information from Elliott and the union that could have been used to exonerate him, including that the NFL’s lead investigator on the case, Kia Roberts, produced an internal memo in which she had issues with Thompson’s credibility.

It appears they’ll have to try and do it again Sunday night.

In an NFC East race that should be tight, every division game is important, which is why Elliott’s availability against the Giants matters.

The filing accused the league’s appeals process of being “fundamentally unfair”, citing new facts revealed during this week’s hearing that wrapped up Thursday. The local district attorney did not seek charges against Elliott after Thompson reported the alleged incidents, which she said included bruises on her body that he gave her, over multiple years. It had been reported earlier Tuesday that Elliott would play regardless if a ruling had come down on Tuesday or later in the week. He’ll be out for games against the Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, Packers, 49ers, and Washington.

The Cowboys have kept three extra running backs on the roster knowing that Elliott would likely be missing an extended period of time.

Alfred Morris, a former 1,000-yard rusher with Washington, and Rod Smith would fulfill backup running back duties in Elliott’s absence.

The Cowboys will also look to Darren McFadden to generate some offense on the ground.

“We’re going to keep practicing and getting ready for the game until somebody tells us different”, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. “And the other guys will get ready to play”. Assaulting a spouse (allegedly in Elliott’s case) should warrant a serious suspension. On Monday, the National Football League filed a motion to dismiss the NFLPA petition and the TRO request.

The decision to cut veteran left guard Alex Boone last weekend ensured that the Vikings go into the Week 1 opener against New Orleans with five different players in the five starting positions.

But if Elliott’s suspension is upheld and he is forced to miss six games, then the advantage of having him play in an important division matchup is washed away by the fact he would miss the October 29 meeting against the Washington Redskins.

Elliott was handed the ban last month for violating the NFL’s player conduct policy.

“After we had a big win (at the) Steelers (on November 13), and I had a very good game … while I’m boarding the plane from Pittsburgh to Dallas, I received, like, 15 texts from an unknown number”.