Elliott ready to play on Sunday, Cowboys coach says

Elliott was on the practice field on Wednesday for the only padded practice of the week, but his eligibility to play beyond week one remained in question.

"He seems very focused, locked in on meetings, the walk-through," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told reporters. "We'll have a good practice today. He's done an excellent job in his preparation.

Elliott's six-game suspension for violation of the NFL's domestic-violence policy was upheld by league arbitrator Harold Henderson on Tuesday. The second-year running back will be allowed to play on Sunday because of the timing of the announcement.

The NFL Players Association previously filed a restraining order seeking to block any suspension for Elliott, and a U.S. District Court judge is due to rule on Friday on the injunction.

The NFLPA's case is centered around the argument that the league violated its own disciplinary process under the collective bargaining agreement. Elliott would be allowed to continue playing while his federal case works its way through the legal system. If denied, Elliott would begin serving his suspension with the Cowboys' Sept. 17 game at Denver.

On Monday, the NFL filed a motion to have the NFLPA's restraining-order request dismissed.

Elliott, who was not arrested nor charged in the case, maintains his innocence after being accused of assaulting his former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. The original punishment was issued by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Aug. 11 after a 13-month league investigation.

Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards during his rookie season. (Editing by Gene Cherry)