Twists and turns continue in Elliott drama

Oct 19, 2017 - 2:57 AM FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's legal fight with the NFL took another turn on Tuesday when a New York judge granted his motion for a temporary restraining order blocking the six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, putting him back on the field.

It meant that Elliott was back at practice Wednesday and will be on the field when the Cowboys (2-3) resume play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers (0-6) after last week's bye.

The ruling is temporary and will last for up to 14 days. Elliott and his lawyers from the NFL Players Association will have to again plead their case to Judge Katherine Failla when she is back from vacation before or by Oct. 30.

That makes Elliott eligible for the Oct 29 game at the Washington Redskins as well as Sunday's road game against the 49ers.

The decision was made by U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty, who was filling in for Failla.

And it came five days after a federal appeals court overturned a Texas court's injunction that had kept Elliott on the field, resulting in the NFL placing him on the suspended list on Friday.

Elliott was not at the Cowboys' facility on Tuesday with the rest of the team, but was back at the Star in Frisco on Wednesday.

Elliott is undoubtedly happy after winning another legal battle with the NFL over his six-game suspension for alleged domestic assault against former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.

But Elliott made it clear Wednesday that he is fighting for his name and reputation as well.

"When you get accused of something of that magnitude, you kind of get labeled as an abuser, and that's just not me," Elliott said. "That's not how I want to be seen, not how I want to represent my family. It's just important for me to fight.

"Appreciate the opportunity to go out here and get a couple more weeks with these guys for sure. And I have an opportunity to have an even longer TRO (temporary restraining order). So honestly, just happy to be able to play this week."

Elliott acknowledged that the roller-coaster ride of court filings has tested his resolve and emotions at times. But he is thankful for a strong legal team of personal and NFL Players Association lawyers that have battled for him in court.

"It's a little tiring, but that's what you have a legal team for," Elliott said, "and it's not really my job to worry about it. I trust the guys that work for me and I let them do the job. ... You just take it day-by-day, there's been so many ups and downs, lefts and rights, you really don't know what's coming up next. Just got to take it day-by-day."

There remains the possibility that he could be forced to serve the suspension if he loses his bid for an injunction in two weeks.

Of course, if he wins he would likely be eligible to play for the rest of the season.

Backups Alfred Morris, Rod Smith and Darren McFadden took turns working with the offense on Tuesday. Elliott was back in his usual starting role on Wednesday.

"Again, we just control what we can control," head coach Jason Garrett said. "Yesterday he was not here and so the guys who were here had opportunities to go through the walkthrough. Today he's here and he'll have an opportunity to practice. There was no big address to the team."

Still while Garrett remained stoic, the players expressed excitement and relief.

A happy quarterback Dak Prescott added: "It's great to have him back. Any chance we get with him in the backfield we're going to take it. It's an exciting week. If he's playing, we're obviously happy to have him."

There is no question Elliott is appreciative to have the support of his teammates.

"We're a very close group," Elliott said. "We've talked about it many a time and that's what family is for, that's what a brotherhood is for, just to reach out. My teammates have done a great job picking me up when I'm down and making sure I'm able to stay focused and be the running back I need to be for this team."

SERIES HISTORY: 29th regular-season meeting. 49ers lead series, 15-12-1. Dallas has won three straight and four of the last five, including the last meeting 27-17 at San Francisco in 2016. Dallas has played the 49ers seven times in playoffs, including six times in the NFC Championship Game.

--The NFL awarded the three-day 2018 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys and it will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington April 26-28.

The Cowboys submitted several bids for the draft, including a dual site with The Star in Frisco along with AT&T Stadium.

The NFL chose the one site, Arlington, with AT&T Stadium being the primary host.

"We really think we have come up with an incredible idea and concept that will really make AT&T Stadium shine but will also deliver a unique experience that is unlike anything that you have seen so far at the NFL Draft," Cowboys executive vice president/chief brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson said. "But I think this is what the draft process is all about. It allows the cities to show their unique personality and hopefully invite not only fans from all over our region in Dallas and the Metroplex and beyond, but those from out of state.

"We welcome them to come to Dallas, to come to Arlington to AT&T Stadium to show their fandom and be a part of the draft in April."

This is the third new location for the draft since it moved from New York three years ago.

It was held in Chicago in 2015 and 2016 and in Philadelphia in 2017.

It's the success in Philadelphia that the Cowboys hope to duplicate in Arlington.

"Philadelphia raised the bar by taking the draft to another level, and this new opportunity in Dallas will enable us to continue the event's evolution and grow it even further," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We are grateful to the Dallas Cowboys, the cities of Arlington, Dallas, and Frisco, and the Dallas Sports Commission for their leadership in turning this vision into reality."

Philadelphia marked the first time a city held the draft outside and it set attendance records, drawing 250,000 people to the three-day event.

According to the NFL, the draft had a $94.9 million economic impact on the city.

"It'll be great. We know how big football is here in Dallas, our fans, it'll be an exciting time," Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Anytime Jerry (Jones) gets his hands on it, or Dallas, it's meant for a great time."

NOTES: CB Chidobe Awuzie did not practice Wednesday because of a strained hamstring. He aggravated the injury against the Packers two weeks ago and has not practiced since. ... T Tyron Smith did not practice Wednesday as the Cowboys continue to try to manage tightness in his back. They hope he will be able do something by the end of the week. ... LB Sean Lee was a full participant in practice Wednesday after missing the past two games with a strained hamstring. ... LB Jaylon Smith leads the team in tackles with 54, but he is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by Anthony Hitchens. Smith has no tackles for loss, only one quarterback pressure and no pass deflections. ... RG Jonathan Cooper will start for the third straight game. He has officially won the starting job over Chaz Green. The Cowboys hope stability at guard will allow them to gain some chemistry up front.