Who Is Ezekiel Elliott's Backup For Fantasy Football?

A federal appeals court in New Orleans waived the injunction that hindered Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy— which means his suspension is reinstated and fantasy football owners might have to replace him.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Thursday verified the NFL’s request to nullify the injunction, which could lead to Elliot’s receiving the league’s full six-game suspension penalty, according to reports.

"Earlier today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the preliminary injunction that prohibited the league from imposing the six-game suspension issued to Ezekiel Elliott for a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy," the league wrote in a statement. "The Court also directed the district court to dismiss the union's lawsuit which was filed on Elliott's behalf. As a result, Elliott's suspension will begin effective immediately."

The 22-year-old was suspended in August by Commissioner Roger Goodell after a yearlong investigation into domestic violence claims made in the summer of 2016 by his then-girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.

If the suspension holds up, Elliot is pegged to miss games against San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers.

The suspension could take place following the teams’ Week 6 bye and fantasy football fans will be looking for a replacement to cover the star running back. Elliott has 105 carries, 393 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns for the Cowboys this season, and his productivity could be hard to supplement.

However, fantasy football owners could replace Elliot with running backs Alfred Morris or Darren McFadden.

Morris has been the primary backup for the Cowboys and has proven successful with limited playing time. He has eight carries for 87 yards and two years ago, he ran for over 1,000 yards for the Cowboys.

Fantasy players could opt to go with Darren McFadden. The 30-year-old has shown the Cowboys he can carry the ball, running for over 1,000 yards just two years ago, so the team could decide to turn to him in Elliot’s absence.

McFadden said in June he was prepared to rise to the occasion for Dallas after deciding he wanted to remain with the organization, he told Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"Obviously I’m going to be a backup guy," McFadden said. "Whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do it. If it’s special teams or whatever, I’m up for it. At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. I’m a team guy. That’s what I love about the game."

"It’s tough, you know what I’m saying, but at the same time it’s a team sport," McFadden added. "I’ve been around the game long enough to know that eventually someone is going to come in who is going to try to run you out."