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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to be non-specific about star running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy over alleged domestic violence against a former girlfriend. Jones and the Cowboys were blindsided when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed down Elliott's suspension on Aug. 11.
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Jones, who earlier this month predicted Elliott would not be suspended, continues to say the second-year running back has the team's support in his fight against the ban, but the owner has yet to criticize the league's decision.
"I don't have anything to say about anything with the commissioner or with anything to do with Zeke at this particular time," Jones told reporters after the Cowboys' 24-19 preseason victory Saturday night over the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium.
Jones was pressed by reporters about his silence, but he reiterated the same stance when asked why he was not ready to talk about the suspension.
"Because I have said I just want to get my thoughts together, see some more cards played, and just see kind of how this thing turns out," Jones said. "I know that they've got a real important date set and want that to have every opportunity it can to have things in its best light. But we certainly are in support of Zeke."
Elliott and the NFL Players Association filed notice of appeal last week, and the hearing is scheduled for Aug. 29. Goodell appointed Harold Henderson as the arbiter to hear Elliott's appeal.
Elliott did not play against the Colts and the team has not announced whether he will play next Saturday against the Oakland Raiders.
"Wouldn't surprise me at all if he would get a few snaps," Jones told reporters. "We don't want to put 30 on him out there. No reason to do that. ... I just think it just logically has fallen that way."
Elliott was suspended by the league following a 13-month investigation for domestic violence allegations made against the him in July 2016.
Elliott's former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, accused him of domestic violence in Columbus, Ohio. Elliott, who was not arrested or charged in the case, has maintained his innocence all along.
The Columbus City Attorney's Office announced last September it would not pursue charges against Elliott because of "conflicting and inconsistent information."
The suspension is scheduled to begin Sept. 2 and Elliott is eligible to return to the Cowboys' roster on Oct. 23, one day after the team's Week 7 road game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The 22-year-old Elliott is coming off a sensational season in which he rushed for a Cowboys rookie-record 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led the NFL in rushing yards.
