OXNARD, Calif. — Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended for six games by the NFL during the 2017 season for violations to the league’s personal conduct policy after domestic violence allegations made by a female companion.
Elliott was asked Wednesday about how his suspension compares to the one Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will serve, also six games, after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against Watson.
The NFLPA said Watson will not appeal the suspension; Elliott and the players’ union did appeal in 2017.
“I haven’t really been paying much attention to it,” Elliott said after a walkthrough practice. “I’ve been focused on what we have to do here in Oxnard, getting this team ready to go on that run we’re going to go on.”
The NFL appealed the ruling by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson on Wednesday.
Elliott’s suspension was for the first six games of that 2017 season, but his appeals in federal court delayed its start.
Eventually, the suspension was upheld and Elliott started serving in Week 9. He rushed for 783 yards on 191 carries with seven touchdowns before the suspension. He returned for the final two regular-season games.
If the NFL appeals the Watson suspension, it could lead to a similar legal fight to that of Elliott went through. The issue the NFLPA had with Elliott’s case was the lead investigator didn’t recommend a suspension for Elliott while NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gave him anyway.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fought against the suspension based on the investigator’s report.
“I really, totally prohibitive, from talking about another player on another team,” Jones said when asked about Watson’s suspension. “So that’s where I am with that.”
