Thursday 16 November 2017 12:04, UK
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has withdrawn his appeal against a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
The decision means the 22-year-old will serve out the remaining five games of his ban and will be free to play again in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks on December 24.
Elliott sat out the first game of his suspension in Sunday's 27-7 defeat to the Atlanta Falcons.
"In consultation with the NFLPA and his lawyers, and after careful deliberation and review of the recent Second Circuit decisions, Mr Elliott has decided to forgo any further appeals and will serve the remaining suspension," his agents Rocky Arceneaux and Frank Salzano said in a statement.
"This decision arises from a practical assessment of the current legal landscape. Mr Elliott's desire for closure in this matter is in his best interests, as well as the best interests of his teammates, family and friends.
"This decision is in no way an admission of any wrongdoing, and Mr Elliott is pleased that the legal fight mounted by him and his team resulted in the disclosure of many hidden truths regarding this matter, as well public exposure of the NFL's mismanagement of its disciplinary process.
"Mr Elliott will maximise this time away from the game and come back even stronger both on and off the field. He intends to release a final personal statement in the upcoming weeks and until then we have no further comment."
Elliott had his most recent legal motion denied by the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York eight days ago.
The NFL's commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Elliott for six games on August 11 after a 13-month investigation concluded he was in violation of the league's personal-conduct policy for an incident in the summer of 2016.
Elliott, who was not arrested or charged in the case, maintains his innocence after being accused of assaulting former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson in Columbus, Ohio.
