NEW YORK — The NFL Players Association has appealed Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over the league’s conclusion that its 2016 rushing leader injured his former girlfriend in three separate incidents last summer. ADVERTISING NEW YORK —
NEW YORK — The NFL Players Association has appealed Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over the league’s conclusion that its 2016 rushing leader injured his former girlfriend in three separate incidents last summer.
The union said Tuesday it will represent Elliott “to ensure that the NFL is held to its obligation of adhering to principles of industrial due process under the collective bargaining agreement.”
The NFL suspended Elliott last week after a yearlong investigation into an Ohio domestic violence case that prosecutors declined to pursue. Elliott’s attorneys blasted Commission Roger Goodell’s ruling, saying the league “cherry-picked” evidence to reach its conclusion.
A hearing with Goodell or an arbitrator will be scheduled within 10 days with a decision “as soon as practicable” after the appeal is heard, according to the labor agreement.
The Cowboys open the regular season Sept. 10 at home against the New York Giants.
Eagles release healthy RB Ryan Matthews
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have released Ryan Mathews after the former Pro Bowl running back was cleared to return to football activities following neck surgery.
Mathews played two seasons with the Eagles after spending his first five years in San Diego. He had 1,200 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns for Philadelphia.
The move announced Tuesday was expected and saves the Eagles $4 million under the salary cap.
A statement from the team said: “We want to thank Ryan for his contributions to the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons. We spoke today and had a productive conversation about his future and the direction of our team going forward. First and foremost, we are glad that Ryan is healthy and has been cleared to return to football activities, but given the current state of our running back position, we feel like it is best for both sides to go in a different direction. We wish him all the best as he continues his career.”
Seattle’s Carroll supports Bennett’s decision to sit
RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that he supported Michael Bennett’s decision to sit during the national anthem while also saying he believes players should stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Bennett’s actions were a primary topic of conversation for Carroll two days after Bennett sat on the bench during the anthem before the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bennett didn’t inform Carroll or his teammates of his decision to sit while the rest of the Seahawks stood locked arm-in-arm on the sideline Sunday.
“It’s easy for me to support him in his issues. But I think we should all be standing up when we’re playing the national anthem,” Carroll said.
Bennett said after the game that the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, including the death of a woman who was struck by a car deliberately driven into a group of counter-protesters, solidified his decision.
“I can appreciate a man that no matter what the circumstances are, no matter what people are going to think, no matter what people are going to say, his morals and what he thinks is right to him, he’s going to stand up for it,” teammate Cliff Avril said.
