With the Ezekiel Elliott appeal hearing over, he’s a point from earlier this week that bears repeating -- and highlighting: By rule, any player suspension that isn’t final by 4:00 p.m. ET before a given Sunday does not become effective that week.
This means that, if arbitrator Harold Henderson doesn’t issue a ruling by 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Elliott will be able to play in the Week One game against the Giants.
Henderson is expected to issue a ruling by then. Regardless, he’ll have his work cut out for him as he digests 25 hours of hearing time and crafts a ruling that is aimed at surviving a likely challenge in federal court.
Commissioner Roger Goodell previously suspended Elliott six games for violating the Personal Conduct Policy, based on alleged domestic violence committed in July 2016.