Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension has been hanging over both the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL for the last several weeks, and as recently as this week, the ruling was upheld by an independent arbitrator. However, Elliott and the NFLPA were seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow the talented running back to remain on the field during the legal process, and on Friday, federal judge Amos Mazzant granted that request.
Breaking: #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has been granted on his request for a "preliminary injunction." pic.twitter.com/CifzXvgnyi
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 8, 2017
While the full ruling included plenty of nuisance, the major takeaway was that the judge believed Elliott did not receive a “fundamentally fair hearing before the arbitrator” in the case.
“The question before the Court is merely whether Elliott received a fundamentally fair hearing before the arbitrator. The answer is he did not. The Court finds, based upon the injunction standard, that Elliott was denied a fundamentally fair hearing by Henderson’s refusal to allow Thompson and Goodell to testify at the arbitration hearing.”
In response, the NFLPA said the following about the positive result.
Statement from NFLPA on Ezekiel Elliott ruling: pic.twitter.com/rTJigd3UZD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2017
In addition, Elliott’s attorneys shared their thoughts and are “very pleased” with the most current ruling.
Statement from Ezekiel Elliott's attorneys on today's ruling: pic.twitter.com/ewF6b7DEMG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2017
Of course, there was another side to the court’s decision and the NFL was not quite as happy with the way things played out this time.
“We strongly believe that the investigation and evidence supported the Commissioner’s decision and that the process was meticulous and fair throughout. We will review the decision in greater detail and discuss next steps with counsel, both in the district court and federal court of appeals.”
It is important to note that no official declaration of Elliott’s eligibility to play was made, but the consensus at this point is that Elliott will be able to play through the process, and that could cover, much like Tom Brady before him, an entire season. For now, Elliott was already able to play in Week 1, but he’ll be able to continue practicing and playing after the Cowboys take on the Giants in the season opener on Sunday.
