NFL Appeals Court's Decision to Block Elliott's 6-Game Suspension
By Schuyler Dixon ••
The NFL has asked the judge who ruled in favor of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, blocking the league’s six-game suspension, to stop the preliminary injunction that cleared Elliott to play while the case is in court.
The NFL moved quickly Monday in hopes of reversing a federal judge's decision that has blocked the league's six-game suspension of star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott over a domestic violence case in Ohio.
"Just relieved from the fact that I finally get a fair trial," Elliott said after the game in his first public comments since before the Cowboys reported for training camp in July. "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."
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys autographs his jersey after the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 19-3 at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys smiles during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Elliott is eligible to play while he appeals a six-game suspension by the NFL. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys prepares to take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys stretches before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Elliott is eligible to play while he appeals a six-game suspension by the NFL. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is sacked for a loss by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes the ball in the first quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes the ball in the first quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys is stopped by B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants on a carry in the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the Texas flag as the team runs onto the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Terrance Williams #83 of the Dallas Cowboys breaks away from B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants on a carry in the second quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys hits Paul Perkins #28 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: B.J. Goodson #93 and Devon Kennard #59 of the New York Giants combine to stop the carry by Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants fumbles the ball against Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Brice Butler #19 of the Dallas Cowboys dives for a pass against the efforts of Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Brice Butler #19 of the Dallas Cowboys pulls down a pass against the efforts of Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys scores a touchdown over Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys gets stopped by B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys gets pat on the chest from Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to evade Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants and B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: La'el Collins #71 of the Dallas Cowboys, Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys, and Zack Martin #70 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate the touchdown by Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys and Travis Frederick #72 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate the touchdown by Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys misses a pass in the endzone in the second half of a game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys gets hit by Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants in the second half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys and Benson Mayowa #93 of the Dallas Cowboys combine to stop the carry by Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants in the second half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants and Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys greet each other after a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys and Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants exchange autographs after a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 19-3 at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys greets Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants at midfield after the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 19-3 at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys autographs his jersey after the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 19-3 at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Sean Lee #50 and Maliek Collins #96 of the Dallas Cowboys try to stop the run by Rhett Ellison #85 of the New York Giants in the second half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants gets stopped by Sean Lee #50 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by B.J. Goodson #93 and Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants in the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants in the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by B.J. Goodson #93 and Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws to Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys during play against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Terrance Williams #83 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants and Romeo Okwara #78 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants and Romeo Okwara #78 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants and Darian Thompson #27 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Benson Mayowa #93 of the Dallas Cowboys knocks Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants to the turf in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against B.J. Goodson #93 of the New York Giants and Darian Thompson #27 of the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys drops a pass while defended by Janoris Jenkins #20 of the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field during play against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys prepares to take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys prepares to take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old Elliott was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell last month, and attorneys with the NFL Players' Association contended in a lawsuit that Elliott didn't get a fair hearing in an appeal that was denied.
New England quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension over "Deflategate" was delayed by a year when a federal judge ruled in his favor. Brady served the suspension to start last season after an appeals court reversed the ruling and backed Goodell's authority to suspend him.
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the Dallas Cowboys take on the Oakland Raiders in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform during the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Indianapolis Colts in a Preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: A Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader performs in the first half of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 03: A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader entertains prior to the NFL Hall of Fame preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
If Mazzant denies the emergency request to put his own ruling on hold pending further hearings, the NFL could make a similar argument to the appeals court in hopes of getting a hearing within days after Mazzant decides.
Without an NFL win on an emergency request in either court, the timeline likely would clear Elliott to play his entire second season after he led the league in rushing as a rookie.
The case apparently will stay in the Texas court for at least a week after Mazzant gave Elliott's side until Wednesday to respond to the NFL's request for a stay. The NFL would then have until Friday to respond to arguments from Elliott's legal team before Mazzant rules on the motion, presumably next week.
"It may be difficult for the NFL to convince the 5th Circuit that this is truly an emergency," said Gabe Feldman, director of the sports law program at Tulane University Law School. "The argument here is that the NFL could later enforce the suspension."
Elliott was suspended by Goodell in August after the league concluded he had several physical confrontations last summer with Tiffany Thompson, a former girlfriend. Prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio, decided about a year ago not to pursue the case in the city where Elliott starred for Ohio State, citing conflicting evidence.
The NFL kept its investigation open, and said its conclusions were based on photographs, text messages and other electronic evidence. The league has argued that it acted within the parameters of a labor agreement that gives Goodell broad authority to suspend players. The league also said the appeal process was consistent with its personal conduct policy.
"As far as the argument to the court of appeals, we think the scope and review in labor arbitration is very limited and we believe the judge went well beyond what is permitted as far as scope," NFL vice president of communications Joe Lockhart said.
Mazzant's ruling took aim at appeal hearing officer Harold Henderson and the NFL, saying decisions not to allow Goodell and Thompson to testify at the appeal were among several factors unfair to Elliott. The running back denied the allegations under oath during the appeal.
The judge also faulted the league for what he saw as several efforts to conceal the opinion of co-lead investigator Kia Roberts. She testified at the appeal that she didn't think Thompson was credible and didn't support any punishment for Elliott.
Three years ago, the NFL stiffened penalties in domestic violence cases after getting sharply criticized for its handling of former Baltimore running back Ray Rice.
Elliott had 1,631 yards rushing last season, helping Dallas to the best record in the NFC at 13-3. He had another 36 yards receiving in the opener against the Giants as the Cowboys beat the NFC East rival that swept them last season.
