Will Ezekiel Elliott Play Sunday? Dallas Cowboys' Star Eligible Against KC Chiefs

After playing the first seven games of the season, it looked like Ezekiel Elliott would finally be forced to start serving his six-game suspension when the Dallas Cowboys host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. That no longer is the case.

Elliott’s suspension had been reinstated, but his motion for a brief administrative stay was granted by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. All that means is Elliott will indeed be allowed to play against the Chiefs Sunday.

Elliott is far from out of the woods yet, and the running back might be forced to start serving his suspension next week.

The fight between Elliott and the league has been going on since the preseason. It appeared that the former first-round pick would be forced to miss the first six games of the season because of an alleged domestic violence incident with his ex-girlfriend. Just days before Dallas’ season opener against the New York Giants, Elliott was granted an injunction by a federal court in Texas, which allowed him to play in Week 1.

A temporary restraining order granted during the Cowboys’ bye week allowed Elliott to play in two more games before a judge would make a ruling on his case. But less than a week after it was ruled that Elliott would have to sit, the running back has, once again, been cleared to suit up for Dallas.

The news could have a major impact on Dallas’ chances to win Sunday and at least stay in striking distance of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East. Kansas City is among the NFL’s best teams, entering Week 9 tied for the best record in the AFC.

Elliott got off to a slow start in the 2017 NFL season, rushing for just 277 yards with one 100-yard game in the first four weeks. He’s picked things up of late, rushing for at least 116 yards in each of the last three games, totaling 373 yards from scrimmage during the Cowboys’ current two-game winning streak.

As a rookie in 2016, Elliott had one of the best seasons by a first-year running back in NFL history. He led the league by a wide margin with 1,631 yards on the ground in the regular season, and he rushed for 125 yards in the team’s only playoff game.

Dallas is 4-3 on the season and three games behind Philadelphia for first place in the division.