We knew Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension was likely coming soon, we just didn’t know when it would be announced, or what the terms would be.
Now we do know, and it’s bit more than most people anticipated.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will be suspended for six games:
Cowboys' RB Ezekiel Elliott is being suspended 6 games, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2017
And from ESPN’s report, which has plenty of details on the investigation and the upcoming appeals process:
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The suspension comes as a result of an investigation that started more than a year ago after an ex-girlfriend accused Elliott of domestic violence in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus City Attorney’s office announced in September that it would not pursue charges against Elliott because of “conflicting and inconsistent information,” but the NFL can penalize a player even without legal charges.
Elliott is expected to appeal the suspension, league sources told Schefter.
Most people predicted four games, a la Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension, but this would obviously go a step beyond that, covering Elliott’s wide-ranging list of alleged issues. It would also mean a fairly long absence, as Elliott wouldn’t be available until Week 8 thanks to Dallas’s Week 6 bye. Still, in football terms, the Elliott would only miss one divisional game, the season-opener against the Giants he was going to miss with any length suspension.
Whether or not he appeals it remains to be seen. Generally, the league’s appeals process for violations under the personal conduct policy remains a bit wonky, given the authority league commissioner Roger Goodell has in the arena. But even a reduction to four games leaves this as an impactful suspension, and hopefully a punishment that helps change some behavior.
That’s perhaps a pipe dream, but hey, you never know.
MOST PREDICTABLE UPDATE EVER:
Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones is said to be furious with NFL decision, per one source. Furious.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2017
SECOND UPDATE:
And here’s the letter the NFL sent to Elliott, containing a breakdown of the suspension.
Here is the full letter from @NFL to #Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott. Read it all. https://t.co/RSivUw5GSu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 11, 2017
