The Green Bay Packers aren’t going to have to worry about facing Ezekiel Elliott this season. At least not in the regular season. The NFL suspended the Dallas Cowboys’ running back six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, on Friday.
The Packers face the Cowboys in Dallas on October 8. Elliott — the league’s leading rusher in 2016 — won’t be eligible to play until after the Cowboys October 22 game against San Francisco.
Elliott put up 157 yards on 28 carries against the Packers when they faced off in the regular season, last year. He then ran for 125 on 22 carries in the Packers’ playoff win.
The Packers have been talking a lot about getting home field advantage in the playoffs this year. This suspension might just clear the way for them to do it.
In most gambling establishments, the Cowboys had been the odds-on favorite to come out of the NFC. Not having their best player for six games will certainly hurt those chances.
Interestingly, even though Elliott hasn’t been convicted of anything in an actual court, the NFL conducted their own investigation into his conduct. He was ultimately suspended for engaging in physical violence against a woman multiple times.
Elliott can and likely will appeal.