DALLAS – UPDATE: BREAKING: Federal appeals court clears way for NFL's 6-game suspension of Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott in domestic case.
5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules to vacate Elliott's preliminary injunction and Eastern District Of Texas has to dismiss case.
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A federal appeals court in New Orleans could rule this week on whether Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott must begin serving a six-game suspension because of domestic violence allegations.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Elliott in August after the league concluded a yearlong investigation that found Elliott had several physical confrontations with his then-girlfriend in Ohio.
Prosecutors didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting evidence. Elliott has denied the allegations under oath.
Elliott has been allowed to play, however, because a federal district judge blocked the suspension pending appeals.
The league said the lawsuit filed by the players union, representing Elliott, should be thrown out because it was improperly filed before an arbitrator ruled in the case.
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday and they were to review more documents Tuesday morning. They could rule any time after that but offered no timetable. UPDATE: It is expected 'soon' - per ESPN.
Follow live Ezekiel Elliott suspension appeal updates below:
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Sophomore slump? Cowboys 3rd loss as Packers beat Dak, Zeke
Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys already have as many losses as they did last season. And it’s only Week 5.
While Elliott leaped over the top for a fourth-down conversion before Prescott scored a go-ahead touchdown with 1:13 left, they just left too much time for Aaron Rodgers. The Green Bay quarterback pulled off another late comeback, just like in the divisional playoff win nine months ago to end the Dallas duo’s rookie season.
“It’s a little bit difficult to think about,” Elliott said after the 35-31 loss Sunday that dropped the Cowboys to 2-3. “We’re still confident. We know what we can do.”
For now, Prescott and Elliott have lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time and the Cowboys go into their bye week with a losing record.
They won a division title with an NFC-best 13-3 record last season and to match that would have to win their last 11 games — they did win a franchise-record 11 straight after dropping the 2016 opener.
“There’s a lot that you can build on,” veteran tight end Jason Witten said. “Certainly, the foundation was laid last year, but it’s a new year, you’ve got to re-establish it.”
The Packers (4-1) rallied from a 21-6 deficit after Prescott threw TD passes on the first three Dallas drives. There were five lead changes in the fourth quarter, the first on Jordy Nelson’s 10-yard TD catch from Rodgers.
Green Bay has won seven of its last eight against Dallas. The latest was sealed when Rodgers led a 75-yard drive that took just 62 seconds and ended with Davante Adams’ 12-yard catch with 11 seconds left.
“When you’ve got 12 (Rodgers) back there, it allows you to be a little more calm,” Adams said. “You know he’s going to take full control of the offense, take full control of the game. He orchestrated a beautiful drive there.”
It was the second TD catch for Adams only 10 days after leaving the field on a stretcher on a helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in a suspension for Chicago linebacker Danny Trevathan. Adams had seven catches for 66 yards.
“I was going to call another play,” Rodgers said about the winning score. “But taking it back was a good call. ... I wanted to put a better throw on it, and he made a great catch.”
Some things we learned from the game:
WHERE’S JORDY?
Nelson, who is up to sixth touchdowns receiving, wasn’t on the field during the winning drive. Coach Mike McCarthy said Nelson was being evaluated at the end of the game for an undisclosed injury. He had two catches for 24 yards.
GOTTA HAVE LATERAL PLAY
The Cowboys actually made it past midfield on the prototypical desperation lateral play to end the game. Most of it came on a 20-yard run by Elliott after the first lateral from Brice Butler. It was the first of five laterals, the last an errant toss that became the first of three fumbles.
The play was finally ruled over when center Travis Frederick fumbled after an 11-yard run to the Green Bay 38 and Quinten Rollins recovered at the 42.
MONTGOMERY’S FILL-IN
If Ty Montgomery is out for any length of time with broken ribs, expect Aaron Jones to get plenty of chances. He’s the first Green Bay running back with 100 yards in his first start as a rookie since Samkon Gado in 2005. He had 19 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown .
Jones’ 15-yard run put the Packers in field goal range before they went for the win on the final drive. “I told him before the game I had absolutely zero worries about him back there,” Rodgers said.
SIGNS OF LIFE
Dallas had its second straight 400-yard game, and Prescott found eight different receivers, a season high. That included an 18-yard completion to seldom-used running back Rod Smith when Prescott escaped the pocket and made a strong throw on the run. “We’re getting where we want to be,” Prescott said.
Cowboys' Jerry Jones reignites protest conversation in NFL
Now that Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys has become the first NFL owner with a public suggestion of repercussions for displays during the national anthem, players are opening up more about the delicate balance of team chemistry and politics in the locker room.
And they're not necessarily slamming the powerful and outspoken Jones for suggesting his players will be benched if they disrespect the flag.
"He's the owner. Either you listen or you don't," Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis said Monday. "And if you don't listen, then you won't play. It's all up to each and every individual."
Jones was responding Sunday night to questions about Vice President Mike Pence's decision to leave an Indianapolis home game in protest of about a dozen San Francisco players who kneeled during the anthem. President Donald Trump tweeted after Pence's walkout that he had told his vice president to leave if any players kneeled.
On Monday night, Trump also tweeted his support for Jones.
"A big salute to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who will BENCH players who disrespect our Flag," the president tweeted. "'Stand for Anthem or sit for game!'"
Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement early last season when he sat on the bench, and later kneeled, during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police mistreatment of black males. He remains unsigned and wants to resume his career.
The 74-year-old Jones, also the team's general manager, said after a loss to Green Bay on Sunday that the NFL cannot leave the impression that it tolerates players disrespecting the flag and said any Cowboys doing so will not play.
They were the most provocative comments so far from Jones, a powerful behind-the-scenes force in the NFL and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee who had already been clear in his support of standing for the anthem.
The NFL players' union had a swift rebuke Monday. Executive director DeMaurice Smith said Jones contradicted assurances last week from Commissioner Roger Goodell and New York Giants President John Mara that players could express themselves without reprisals.
"I look forward to the day when everyone in management can unite and truly embrace and articulate what the flag stands for, liberty and justice for all, instead of some of them just talking about standing," Smith said. "We look forward to continuing our talks with them on this very issue."
Many of the NFL's 32 teams have held meetings in various forms to discuss the issue since Trump said more than two weeks ago during a rally in Alabama that owners should fire players who kneel for the anthem.
In some cases, teams have struggled with their responses.
After Trump's criticism, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to stay off the field before the anthem. But Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva, an offensive lineman, stood at the edge of a tunnel with his teammates in darkness behind him during the anthem two weeks ago.
Villanueva said he was not making a political statement or defying his teammates, calling it a misunderstanding that was "very embarrassing on my end."
Miami coach Adam Gase recently created a team policy requiring players either to stand or wait in the tunnel. Three chose to stay off the field Sunday at home against Tennessee — Michael Thomas, Kenny Stills and Julius Thomas. All three have kneeled in the past.
Asked why he was responding to questions on the topic after previously declining to comment, Gase said, "Because I thought it was time for us to address it."
After several meetings over two days before a Monday night game in Arizona two weeks ago, the Cowboys and Jones kneeled arm-in-arm before the anthem. All of them stood during the anthem, with arms still locked. Otherwise, the Cowboys have stood on the sideline.
The Denver Broncos decided two weeks ago that they would stop kneeling after coach Vance Joseph met with his leadership group. The Broncos stood before their most recent game against Oakland, with linebacker Brandon Marshall raising a fist. Denver was off Sunday.
"We just feel like as a team, it's bringing more negative attention ... than it is positive," safety Justin Simmons said. "So, we made our point the one time we did it. The awareness of the social injustices are out there."
During their bye last week, Atlanta players and coaches had a discussion mediated by a representative from the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality. Falcons owner Arthur Blank invited the outside perspective, and the team has decided to stand during the anthem.
"There's no policy that was written or spoken about," coach Dan Quinn said. "It's more one that was really in the heart of brotherhood, that what we do, we'll do it together."
Jones isn't the only owner who feels strongly about players standing for the anthem, but there have been no indications of teams requiring their players to stand. Mara has told Giants players he wants them to stand but supports their right to do otherwise.
"As a team we've had our talks about it and we're good to go," said Redskins running back Chris Thompson, among several Washington players to deny reports that they are required to stand. "Our ownership, we've all talked about it. I think on our end, we're good."
Chiefs, Packers remain top 2 teams in AP Pro32 poll
The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL's only unbeaten team this season.
And the Green Bay Packers have been almost as good.
So it's little surprise that they held onto the top two spots in the latest AP Pro32 poll .
Kansas City remained the unanimous No. 1 team, receiving all 12 first-place votes for 384 points Tuesday in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The Chiefs beat Houston on Sunday night and will look to stay unbeaten when they host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
"The only question they've left is whether (quarterback) Alex Smith or (running back) Kareem Hunt is the MVP so far," said Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams.
And the Packers are still No. 2 after Aaron Rodgers rallied them past the Cowboys 35-31.
"Tom Brady may be the most accomplished quarterback ever, but is there anyone better to watch than Aaron Rodgers? He was at his magical best — again — in a spectacular 35-31 win over the Cowboys," said Newsday's Bob Glauber.
The Philadelphia Eagles jumped four spots to No. 3 after routing Arizona. The Eagles get a quick start on Week 6 when they face Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
"(Eagles QB Carson) Wentz is the real deal," said Fox Sports' John Czarnecki.
The Panthers also moved up four spots to No. 5. The two 4-1 teams meet in Charlotte in one of the top matchups of the week.
"Led by a rejuvenated Cam Newton, Carolina has climbed to the top of the NFL's toughest division with a 3-0 road mark and a knack for pulling out close wins," said SB Nation Radio's Ira Kaufman.
Atlanta remained at No. 4 after its bye week and Denver slipped a spot to No. 6 after its week off.
New England inched up one to No. 7 and plays the rival Jets on Sunday in an unexpected matchup of first-place teams in the AFC East.
Seattle moved up six spots to No. 8 after holding off the Los Angeles Rams, who fell one spot to No. 11.
Detroit dropped three places to No. 9 after its comeback attempt fell short in a loss to the Panthers.
The Steelers plummeted seven places to No. 10 after Ben Roethlisberger's career-high five interceptions in a 30-9 loss to Jacksonville.
The Jaguars, alone atop the AFC South at 3-2, jumped 10 places to No. 13.
Minnesota moved six places to No. 12 and will host the Packers on Sunday.
Cowboys release another key free agent in cornerback Carroll
The Dallas Cowboys have released cornerback Nolan Carroll, the second significant free agent let go this season.
Carroll left a loss at Denver in Week 2 with a concussion and didn't play again before Wednesday's move. The eighth-year player practiced last week but was inactive in a loss to Green Bay.
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