National Football League roundup

[August 25, 2017]  (The Sports Xchange) - Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders.

When asked by reporters on Thursday whether Elliott will play this weekend, coach Jason Garrett was succinct with his response: "Yes."

Elliott, who is expected to play anywhere from eight to 12 snaps, took turns with the first-team offense going against the scout team in Wednesday's practice.

The 22-year-old Elliott faces a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

The ban stems from the league's 13 month-long investigation into domestic violence accusations made against Elliott by former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.

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Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy told reporters that free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick's play is usurped by the "distraction" that comes along with a team signing him.

More than 1,000 people gathered outside of NFL headquarters in New York on Wednesday calling for the quarterback to be signed by a team.

Kaepernick has been a man without a team since early March after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old's unemployment has sparked conversation as to whether he is being blackballed for his decision to kneel during the national anthem during games to raise awareness for social injustices.

Kaepernick passed for 2,241 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while fumbling a career-worst seven times with the 49ers last season. He also ran for 468 yards and two touchdowns.

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Former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges stemming from an incident with his daughter.

Green is accused of striking his 15-year-old daughter in the head in a dispute over household chores in June.

The 40-year-old is charged with felony child abuse and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. If convicted on both charges, Green faces up to seven years in jail.

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The Los Angeles Rams re-signed defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker.

The Rams initially signed Walker in March before releasing him three months later as he addressed sexual assault accusations stemming from an incident on Feb. 28.

A grand jury decided not to bring charges against the 27-year-old Walker on Aug. 2, citing a lack of substantial evidence.

Walker collected 63 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks while playing in 42 games for the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions from 2012 to 2016.

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Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jerry Kramer and ex-Houston Oilers linebacker Robert Brazile were named as senior finalists for the 2018 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kramer, 81, was a pivotal member on Vince Lombardi's teams that won five NFL championships as well as the first two Super Bowls. The guard was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1960s and remains the lone member of the league's 50th Anniversary Team that resides outside of the Hall of Fame.

Brazile, 64, was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975 after being the sixth overall pick of the draft. He made seven Pro Bowl teams during a career that also earned him a spot on the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1970s.

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Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus is considered day-to-day after sustaining a hip injury in practice, coach Sean McDermott said.

Dareus could be held out of Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens as a precaution.

Dareus played in only eight games last season due to suspension and injury. The 27-year-old collected 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2016.

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Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga will sit out Saturday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos with an ankle injury.

Bulaga injured his ankle in practice Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Bulaga is coming off a season in which he played 16 games for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2010.

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The Arizona Cardinals waived cornerback Daniel Gray.

Gray signed with the Cardinals on June 6 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Utah State.

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