Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy after multiple domestic violence incidents.
Elliott has three days to appeal the suspension and is expected to do so, ESPN reports. The six-game ban is the penalty for first-time offenders of the league's new domestic violence policy.
The suspension is scheduled to begin September 2 and Elliott is eligible to return to the Cowboys' roster on October 23, one day after the team's week seven road game against the San Francisco 49ers.
As a result of the suspension, the guarantees in the four-year, $25 million deal Elliott signed with Dallas in 2016 will be voided. In addition, Elliott will give up $240,000 per missed game in signing-bonus money if the suspension is upheld.
Elliott, 22, is accused by his former girlfriend of five domestic assault incidents in July 2016 in Ohio and has been under NFL investigation, although he will not face criminal charges.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reportedly "furious" with the league's decision to suspend Elliott, according to ESPN.
The NFL Players' Association also issued a statement saying it is reviewing the league's decision and has been "in touch with Ezekiel and his representatives to consider all options."
Jones previously said that the focus of the league's investigation was centred around Elliott's behaviour and not the domestic violence allegations.
"I have reviewed everything, and there is absolutely nothing -- not one thing -- that had anything to do with domestic violence," Jones said during the team's training camp.
The second-year back is coming off a sensational rookie season in which he rushed for a Cowboys-rookie-record 1631 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to his first career Pro Bowl selection.
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