NFL-National Football League roundup
Aug 15 (The Sports Xchange) - The NFL Players Association on Tuesday officially appealed the six-game suspension handed to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott was suspended six games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy after multiple domestic violence incidents. "Our union has appealed the NFL's six-game suspension of Ezekiel Elliott," the NFLPA said in a statement. "We will represent Ezekiel, as we do all players, to ensure that the NFL is held to its obligation of adhering to principles of industrial due process under the collective bargaining agreement." -- Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi is no longer in the NFL's concussion protocol, coach Adam Gase announced. Ajayi sustained the concussion on July 31 and returned to practice on Sunday. The 24-year-old is eligible for full-contact work and could be ready to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. -- Running back Ryan Mathews was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, shortly after being medically cleared to practice. Mathews has missed the entire offseason while recovering from neck surgery. He sustained a herniated disk in his neck during a 24-19 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 22. -- The Carolina Panthers signed veteran linebacker Thomas Davis to a one-year contract extension, the team announced. The deal for Davis, a first-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2006, runs through the 2018 season. The Charlotte Observer, citing a source, said the one-year deal is worth $6.75 million, with $3 million of it guaranteed over the next two seasons. -- Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase inched closer to declaring that quarterback Jay Cutler will make his debut in the team's upcoming preseason game. "Right now, everything looks like Jay is going to go," Gase said, two days ahead of the Dolphins' preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. -- Miami Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett tore his Achilles and will have season-ending surgery, coach Adam Gase said. Lippett, who sustained the injury during Monday's practice, made 13 starts last season and collected 67 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. -- Buffalo Bills left tackle Cordy Glenn is considered week-to-week after receiving an injection to treat his sore left foot, the team announced. Sean McDermott said that Glenn traveled to Wisconsin to visit specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, but the coach did not disclose the nature of the injury or the injection. -- Washington Redskins safety Su'a Cravens is expected to be ready for the season opener despite being slated to undergo a meniscus trim, multiple outlets reported. Cravens injured his knee during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. The 22-year-old has worked as a starter throughout training camp, although he spent his first NFL season at linebacker in 2016. Cravens, a second-round selection, recorded 33 tackles and one interception last season. -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette and wide receiver Marqise Lee have been ruled out of the team's upcoming preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday. Fournette, who is the fourth overall pick of the 2017 draft, is nursing a nagging foot while Lee sustained an ankle injury on Sunday. The Jaguars face the Buccaneers on Thursday. "We're just being smart on it," Marrone said of Fournette's injury, per ESPN. "Obviously we're going to be smart with him and Marqise, so we'll probably hold those guys out for at least until after the game." -- The second day of joint workouts between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars resulted in a number of scuffles. Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith and Jags defensive end Yannick Ngakoue got into a heated discussion during a pass-rush drill. Smith shoved Ngakoue, who countered by hitting him in the facemask. Then, centers Joe Hawley and Ali Marpet joined in, with Hawley losing his helmet.
