DALLAS – Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has withdrawn his appeal and will serve his full six-game suspension, according to his agents.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport posted a statement from Elliott’s agents that read:
"In consultation with the NFLPA and his lawyers, and after careful deliberation and review of the recent Second Circuit decisions, Mr. Elliott has decided to forgo any further appeals and will serve the remaining suspension. This decision arises from a practical assessment of the current legal landscape. Mr. Elliott's desire for closure in this matter is in his best interests, as well as the best interests of his teammates, family and friends. This decision is in no way an admission of any wrongdoing, and Mr. Elliott is pleased that the legal fight mounted by him and his team resulted in the disclosure of many hidden truths regarding this matter, as well public exposure of thet NFL's mismanagement of its disciplinary process. Mr. Elliott will maximize this time away from the game and come back even stronger both on and off the field. He intends to release a final personal statement in the upcoming weeks and until then we have no further comment.”
According to Rapoport, the NFL Players Association may still fight in court, but for now, this ends an ongoing legal battle and courtroom saga that goes back to the league announcement of Elliott’s suspension in August.
My understanding is the plan now is to drop the entire Zeke Elliott case, not just the battle for the administrative stay. So finally, it’s over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2017
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Elliott after the league concluded following a yearlong investigation that he had several physical confrontations in the summer of 2016 in Ohio with his girlfriend at the time. No criminal charges were filed.
The NFL players' union sued on Elliott's behalf and he had been allowed to play in the Cowboys first eight games of the season while the legal process played out in court.
However, an emergency injunction request by the NFL Players Association on his behalf was denied last week by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the suspension was back in place.
His next hearing date was set for Dec. 1, four games into the suspension.
Elliott will reportedly train outside the country before he is set to return for the Cowboys game against the Seahawks on Christmas Eve.
Dallas is 5-4 and currently not in position to make the playoffs.