Ezekiel Elliott's legal battle to stop a six-game suspension is over.
Elliott's attorneys said in a statement Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys running back would no longer pursue an appeal over his punishment, issued by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in August over allegations of domestic violence, and will serve the full length of the ban.
Elliott sat out Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He will be eligible to return to the Cowboys by a Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 24.
"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 forego any further appeals and will serve the remaining suspension," Rocky Arceneaux and Frank Salzano said on behalf of Elliott in the statement. "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 interest, 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 he and his team resulted in disclosing many hidden truths regarding this matter as well publicly exposing the 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."
Elliott previously had been able to stave off the suspension through a series of legal victories, but he was denied an injunction by a federal appeals court in New York on Thursday. With no court date set until Dec. 1, he was set to miss at least four games.
Elliott's suspension was announced after a year-long investigation by the NFL. While he was not arrested or charged by prosecutors, the NFL cited statements from Elliott's former girlfriend and photos that showed injuries Elliott allegedly inflicted in July 2016 as the basis for his suspension.
The NFL's rushing leader as a rookie, Elliott had a league-best average of 97.9 rushing yards per game before his ban.
