NFL roundup: Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will not face charges
By Brad Weiss
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will not face domestic abuse charges stemming from a July altercation with his girlfriend.
The Dallas Cowboys will open up their 2016 regular season schedule against their rival, the New York Giants on Sept. 11. On Tuesday, rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott learned he will avoid domestic abuse charges stemming from a July incidents involving his girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson, who filed two police reports claiming Elliott had abused her. However, due to conflicting and inconsistent information, the Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office declined to pursue charges.
Fellow rookie Jared Goff will not be suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Originally slated to compete for the starting quarterback job, Goff has struggled mightily this preseason, and is currently listed as the team’s third QB. The first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff will be on the sidelines which the second quarterback taken, Carson Wentz, gets the start when his Philadelphia Eagles face the Cleveland Browns.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees has told the organization he will not discuss a new contract during the regular season. His self-imposed deadline to get a new deal done is rapidly approaching, though the star and his team are making significant progress towards reaching a new deal. Brees is trying to reduce his cap number for 2016, which means the team will not have to pay him a small fortune with a franchise tag in 2017.
One of the biggest stories in all of sports this NFL preseason has been the peaceful protest of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers quarterback has refused to stand during the National Anthem, stating he is attempting to raise awareness of the country’s history of racial oppression. He has started to get a ton of support around the NFL, and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall is the latest to lend his support to Kaepernick. Speaking with WFAN in New York, Marshall called Kaepernick a “patriot,” saying he is sticking up for human rights.
Next: 2016 NFL season: Record predictions for all 32 teams
Tuesday also brought a trade, as the Philadelphia Eagles sent Eric Rowe to the New England Patriots for a draft pick. For Rowe, the Patriots will send the Eagles a fourth-round pick in 2018. Rowe was a second-round selection of the Eagles in 2015, though he could not crack the depth chart under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Rowe is just another piece of the Chip Kelly regime that is now gone in Philadelphia.