Lawyers for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott requested an emergency injunction from a federal appeals court Wednesday, the latest legal maneuver in an attempt to avoid a six-game suspension over domestic violence allegations.
In the motion to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, attorneys for the NFL Players Association also asked for an expedited appeal and requested a stay of Monday’s decision by a federal judge in New York that effectively allowed the NFL to impose the ban.
"Absent expedited relief from this Court, a deeply flawed arbitral decision will go into immediate effect, irreparably injuring the reputation and career of a young professional football player," Andrew Tulumello, a lawyer representing the NFLPA, wrote in the filing.
The 2nd Circuit could potentially rule on whether to issue an injunction before Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. If no stay or injunction is issued, Elliott would likely miss multiple games — maybe all six, as mandated — before the appeals panel rules.
The same appeals court handled New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's Deflategate case last year and ruled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had broad authority to sanction players under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.
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