The National Football League has officially appealed the preliminary injunction granted to the NFLPA, regarding Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension. According to reports, the appeal was filed in the 5th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
On Friday of last week, Judge Amos Mazzant granted Ezekiel Elliott an injunction and a temporary restraining order which blocked the NFL's six-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy. The temporary restraining order makes it likely Zeke will be eligibly to play for the entire season while the legal process plays out. According to ESPN, Judge Amos Mazzant wrote that the 22-year old running back did not receive fundamental fairness in the appeal process.
With the NFL filing an appeal today, it's clear that the league wants to enforce the six-game ban as soon as possible, preferably sometime this season - and the appeal is the best way to go about that. Although, some sources believe the NFL is not likely to win the appeal.
Ezekiel Elliott racked up 140 yards from scrimmage, including 104 rushing yards, in last night's 19-3 victory over the division rival New York Giants, and after the game he expressed relief that he'll "finally get a chance to prove my innocence."
Elliott told reporters after the game, per ESPN,
"Just relieved for the fact that I finally get a fair trial," Elliott said after Sunday's game. "I finally get a chance to prove my innocence and just happy that I'll get to be with the guys for as long as permitted and not miss time and not having to be away from them."
"It's definitely been a tough last 14 months," Elliott said. "At times it's gotten so hard you start to lose faith."
"Just kind of your name getting dragged through the mud," Elliott said when asked what the hardest part has been. "It's been 14 months. Just kind of being associated with that, that's tough."