Ezekiel Elliott Suspension Could Have Big Impact on NFC East

The cloud of a potential suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott for domestic violence issues has been hanging over the Dallas Cowboys for weeks. New reports point to a suspension for Elliott being "definite" and that it could be handed out as early as today in a hopeful "Friday news dump" by the NFL.

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio summarized the situation rather thoroughly on Thursday night and had a league source telling him the suspension would be definite.

Earlier this week, Cris Carter said on FS1 that a suspension is coming, and that the suspension will be accompanied by evidence of domestic violence, and possibly by proof that Elliott destroyed evidence in connection with the investigation. Carter suggested that the punishment will be in the range of the four-game suspension imposed on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in 2015.

Elliott is accused of five incidents of domestic violence over a six-day period in July 2016. Last Thursday night, appearing in the NBC booth during the Hall of Fame game, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones suggested that a suspension could be imposed for unspecified incidents other than the domestic violence claim.

The length of the suspension is currently unknown but the most common guess is four games.

This would obviously have a big impact on the Cowboys in their quest to repeat as NFC East champs as they have a tough schedule to open the season including the Packers, Giants, Cardinals, and Broncos among their first five contests.

But what if Elliott is suspsended and chooses to appeal? If he plays during the appeal process, depending on how long the process takes, it could drag out and eventually keep Elliott out of four-plus games later in the season if the appeal fails. The Eagles first see the Cowboys in Dallas in week 11. So Elliott being sidelined then is not out of the question.

Elliott being sidelined would be a welcomed sight for any opponent, especially a division rival.

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UPDATE: Elliot has been suspended for six games and will appeal.

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