NFL Notes: Ezekiel Elliott, Injured Reserve, Cardinals

Ezekiel Elliott

Following Sunday’s win over the Giants, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott spoke to reporters for the first time since June.

“It just feels good to be out here,” Elliott said, via Pro Football Talk. “It’s definitely been a tough last 14 months, and at times, it’s gotten so hard you start to lose faith. But just being able to come in and be with these boys every day has kept me focused and made me not give up. I keep going.”

With his appeal of the six-game suspension he received in connection with domestic violence allegations made by a former girlfriend, Elliott admitted that he doesn’t know how long he’ll be on the field this year, but he’s still focused on playing at a high level.

“It is what it is,” Elliott said of the ongoing court battle with the NFL. “I’ve kind of just stopped worrying about it because it’s really out of my hands at this point. I’m just really focused right now at being the running back I need to be for this team to be successful so we can accomplish what we want to. Just the main focus and keep playing at a high level.”

Elliott referred to the entire situation as a distraction and said that it’s been tough to deal with.

“Just kind of your name being dragged through the mud,” Elliott said. “I mean, it’s been 14 months just kind of being associated with that. That’s tough.”

Elliott won a temporary restraining order that will allow him to play for the foreseeable future while the case is in the court system. According to Elliott, he’s just relieved to get a fair trial.

“Just relieved from the fact that I finally get a fair trial,” Elliott said. “I finally get a chance to prove my innocence. And I’m just happy I’m able to be with these guys for as long as it’s permitted and just not having to miss time and not being away from them.”

On Monday, the NFL officially filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in hopes of getting that injunction overturned.

Injured Reserve

Jason Fitzgerald posted the figures for the teams with the most money on injured reserve entering Sunday’s games. The top-7 teams include:

1. Dolphins $32.1M
2. Chiefs – $26.1M
3. Bengals – $16.8M
4. 49ers – $15.1M
5. Patriots – $15.1M
6. Texans -$14.2M
7. Buccaneers – $13.3M

Cardinals

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Lions that QB Carson Palmer’s play was “poor.”

Palmer explained that this is something he’ll have to get over quickly, but he’s still confident about playing better next week.

“You’ve got to get past it,” Palmer said. “We will get past it. I will get past it. We’ve got another big road game playing in another environment similar to this next week. Sunday can’t come fast enough. We’ve got to get the work done, but at the same time, I can’t wait to get this taste out of my mouth and move past this.”