A federal appeals court has granted the NFL’s emergency request to set aside an injunction on the six-game suspension of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. This means that Elliott is immediately suspended from now until Week 13. That would put Elliott on track to return before the Cowboys Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but this may not be the end of it.
Elliott’s lawyers may have more avenues to put the suspension on hold, meaning that if his suspension is pushed back another four or more weeks, Elliott could be suspended during that home meeting against the Seahawks on Christmas Eve.
Through five games this season, Elliott has rushed for 393 yards on 105 carries for an average of 3.7 YPC. He also has 17 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. It’s a far cry from the 1,631 yards he had as a rookie with 15 touchdowns, but I would not say I’m all the surprised by the dip in production. His 334 total touches in 2016 are far too many for a back, in my opinion, plus the Cowboys lost two key offensive linemen and teams may be more keyed in on how to stop him this year than they were a year ago. Plus, he has had this suspension for a domestic violence accusation looming over him the whole time.
Backup Alfred Morris has eight carries for 87 yards this season. Seattle is ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed and 28th in yards per carry.