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HB Ezekiel Elliott's suspension is upheld

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to a a presason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled to vacate the injunction filed by Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News. The ruling means that the NFL’s original six-game suspension can now take effect. Albert Breer of the MMQB reports that the NFL plans to enforce Elliott’s suspension immediately.
  • With the original injunction in place, Elliott was able to resume his role as the Cowboy’s starting running back, and has played 294 snaps through five weeks of the 2017 season. He’s off to a good start, and is currently ranked ninth among 54 qualifying running backs with a PFF overall grade of 81.9.
  • Elliott has carried on from where left off last season; running hard, gaining tough yards and making players miss. Elliott has carried the ball 105 times this year (only Leonard Fournette has more caries) and gained 393 rushing yards, with a staggering 304 yards coming after contact. He’s forced a total of 13 missed tackles and averages 2.90 yards after contact per attempt, the league’s 11th best mark among qualifying backs.
  • If Elliott chooses not to file another appeal or is out of legal options, the suspension will take hold and the Cowboys will turn to Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris and Rod Smith to handle the load in the running game. McFadden is yet to play an offensive snap for the Cowboys this year and Smith has only played 13, but Morris has enjoyed success on his eight carries so far and produced 87 yards, 82 yards after contact and 2 forced missed tackles.

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