Benchmark For Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Around 6 Games

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is expected to be disciplined by the NFL as part of the league’s investigation into domestic violence allegations against him and the “benchmark” could be six games or fewer.

Multiple sources have told Jane Slater that the number of games Elliott is likely to miss is closer to the six game benchmark and Dallas should be bracing for this.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk spoke with a league source who referred to an Ezekiel Elliott suspension as “definite.” However, Florio’s source could say how long of a suspension Elliott could be facing.

While a report from earlier in the day mentioned that the NFL could officially announce Elliott’s ban on Friday, Florio isn’t ruling out the possibility that they wait until early next week.

Beyond that, Florio says there’s a possibility that Elliott will challenge the suspension in court, seeking a temporary injunction that would block the suspension until the litigation is resolved.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the NFL is expected to announce a ruling regarding the investigation into Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and the domestic violence allegations as soon as Friday.

It’s taken the NFL far longer than anyone anticipated announce their findings regarding Elliott, which has led to speculation and reports that the Cowboys’ running back could be suspended for a period of time.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported a few weeks back that there’s a “growing sense” Elliott could face a short suspension from the domestic violence incident that occurred back in 2016.

“The NFL is looking to pin something on him,” one source familiar with the investigation told Schefter.

Before that, the Dallas Police Department decided to suspend their investigation (NFLTR) of the late night incident involving Elliott because they cannot find the victim and witnesses are not cooperating.

Elliott, 21, was taken with the No. 4 overall pick by the Cowboys back in May. He signed four-year contract worth $24,956,342, which includes a signing bonus of $16,350,068.

Elliott stands to make base salaries of $1.58 million (2017), $2.71 million (2018), and $3.85 million (2019) over the remainder of the contract. The agreement also includes a fifth-year option for the team to consider in 2019.

In 2016, Elliott has appeared in 16 games for the Cowboys and rushed for 1,631  yards on 322 carries (5.1 YPC) to go along with 32 receptions for 363  yards receiving and 16 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 2 running back out of 62 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Elliott and the ongoing investigation as the news is available.