“Growing Sense” Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott Could Face Short Suspension

Adam Schefter of ESPN said Friday that there’s a “growing sense” Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott could face a short suspension from the domestic violence incident that occurred back in 2016.

The NFL is still investigating Elliott, but Schefter says it’s possible they could wrap things up in the coming weeks and possibly announce a short ban for Elliott upon doing so.

Elliott will still have to respond to the league’s findings, but Schefter thinks Elliott is bracing for a short suspension that could cost him possibly one or two games.

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

A few weeks ago, Schefter said he would be hesitant to draft Elliott right now, considering that it’s still possible he could be disciplined for the domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-girlfriend.

“I would just say this. It is definitely a factor, and if I were drafting today, I would be hesitant to (draft him),” Schefter said, via Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com. “But this is a situation that has gone back and forth so many times. I’ve spoken to some people within the league who, during the course of the offseason, got a sense that some form of discipline could happen.

“And then I spoke to somebody last week and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think anything is going to happen here.’ And then a decision that many people thought would come before the start of the the July 4th weekend on Friday when the NFL usually makes a lot of decisions, hands down some news, I was told that was being pushed back.

“Now why is that being pushed back? Was it being pushed back, actually? Maybe it wasn’t even. But I was told there wasn’t going to be an answer here for a little while, that there was more information. There have been more meetings between either Zeke’s people and the league, or the NFLPA and the league, or whoever. It’s just been an ongoing issue that has had no conclusion. And so, if you’re drafting today, it’s hard to say, ‘Well, nothing’s going to happen there.’

“Nothing may well happen there, but something could happen there. We just don’t know right now. It’s just sort of out there.”

A month ago, the NFLPA turned over phone records and other documents that had been requested by NFL investigators regarding their investigation into the domestic violence allegations against Elliott and it appeared as though we could be headed towards a resolution.

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.