FRISCO, Texas _ Suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is back on the field after being granted an administrative stay Friday by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
He will play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
As of now, he is not only cleared through the game against Chiefs game but until a three-judge panel from Second Circuit holds emergency injunction hearing, possibly next week, and decide whether to overturn Southern District Judge Katherine Failla's ruling from Monday to deny a preliminary injunction.
A date has not yet been set, but the motion has been referred to the next available three-judge panel. They could rule from the bench or take a few days.
Until then Elliott is back on the field.
Per the Second Circuit order: "IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Appellant's motion for an injunction pending appeal and for an expedited appeal is REFERRED to the next available three-judge motions panel. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Appellant's request for an administrative stay of the district court's order is GRANTED. We note that the issuance of an administrative stay does not constitute a resolution on the merits."
Elliott, who was away from team all week under the terms of the suspension, was back at the Cowboys facility Friday morning. He participated in the early walk-through, attended team meetings and participated in practice with an excited and welcoming group of teammates.
"My agent called me," Elliott said. "As soon as he called me I threw a sweatshirt on, grabbed my backpack and was on my way here. My energy level is high like the rest of this team. I think everyone is excited. I kinda felt a little bit, it seemed like a burst of adrenaline in this team when I came in the locker room and everyone saw me and realized I was going this week. We're all just excited to go out there and get better as a team this week and try to get another win."
Elliott said he has spent the past couple days "just staying active, running and stuff, making sure I kept my wind right. It's honestly been good to get a couple of days to take a load off, especially after that game where I got a heavy load last Sunday. I think it might even help me more to have those couple of days off because I'm fresh, I feel fresh."
Coach Jason Garrett said they will spend extra sessions with Elliott after practice to make sure he's ready to go, but refused to lament the challenge of the last-minute change. The Cowboys (4-3) hope to extend their two-game winning streak on Sunday.
"Not really that challenging for us. Again, we control what we can control," Garrett said. "Zeke controls what he can control and you go to work. Thought we had two good practice days on Wednesday and Thursday. Obviously, the other running backs got that work. Zeke's a smart guy. He's played a lot of football for us in a short period of time. He'll practice day and we'll catch him up as we go here the next 48 hours and anticipate him playing in this ballgame."
It's the continuation of a roller-coaster that began when Elliott was initially suspended by the NFL Aug. 11 for allegedly committing domestic violence against former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.
Elliott was given a preliminary injunction by Judge Amos Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas, allowing to play the first five games before it was thrown out by Fifth Circuit court of appeals in New Orleans because of improper jurisdiction.
He was then given a 14-day temporary restraining order by Judge Paul Crotty of the Southern District of New York, allowing him to play two more games before Failla rejected a motion for preliminary injunction on Monday, reinstating the suspension.
Elliott, who was never arrested or charged in the case and has maintained his innocence, filed a motion an emergency injunction and administrative stay with the Second Circuit, which granted the latter on Friday.
While the ordeal has been a rollercoaster, Elliott said at no point has ever thought about giving up the fight.
"No. This is bigger than a suspension," Elliott said. "It's bigger than football. Them trying to make me something I'm not. I'm not an abuser. That's not who I am. This is my name and this is my reputation. This is something I'm going to have to life with beyond football. Every day is worth fighting."
Running back Alfred Morris was slated to start in Elliott's place on Sunday. But now will be back to his reserve role. He says he is frustrated for Elliott and all he's been through.
"I'm not even in it, so I can't imagine how he feels," Morris said. "It's just so back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. That gets old after a while. I'm annoyed for him."
Elliott, however, won't have a problem getting ready to play on Sunday because he never gave up hope and put his trust his legal team.
The Cowboys have worked all week preparing to play without Elliott. Morris was going to get the start against the Chiefs, but play in a running back-by-committee approach with Rod Smith and Darren McFadden.
They will certainly welcome the return of Elliott, the 2016 NFL leading rusher who is seemingly finding his old groove again.
Elliott, who ranks third in the league in rushing with 690 yards, had a career-high 33 carries for 150 yards in Sunday's 33-19 victory against the Washington Redskins. It was his third consecutive 100-yard game and third career game over 150 yards dating back to last season.
"He's obviously a really good football player," Garrett said. "He's been a big part of what we've done since we've got him last year. Feel very confident in the other running backs that we have on our team. Again two good practices, guys that have been experienced and productive players in this league so we feel good about what their roles are, but certainly he helps us. He's been very productive for us from the first game he's played. He's been playing awfully well here of late and excited to have him back."
Linebacker Sean Lee said the team got an emotional lift with his return on Friday.
"It's great to have him back," Lee said. "He's an unbelievable player. We love playing with him. He's an infectious guy and when he's on the field he's a dominant player. It's great to have him."
The NFL refused to have an official comment on the latest court ruling. But league spokesman Brian McCarthy clarified that Elliott's suspension could last through the playoffs and the Super Bowl if it's affirmed before the end of the season.
"If the court ultimately agrees, he should be suspended beginning on x date, he could miss the end of the season and playoffs," McCarthy said.
That proclamation is in contrast to the exact wording in the suspension letter from Commissioner Roger Goodell to Elliott on Aug. 11. It read, "You are hearby suspended without pay for (6) regular-season games."
Said Elliott: "I think they're going to have to do whatever they said in the papers."
If Elliott gets the preliminary injunction from Second Circuit, he will likely be able to play all season as the case winds itself through court system.
If he is denied, the suspension will be reinstated immediately.
