Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott lost an attempt to block his six-game ban as a US judge on Monday rejected a request for a preliminary injunction.

US District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla in New York issued the ruling, which paves the way for Elliott to begin serving his suspension, after she heard arguments from the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

Failla said in her ruling that "the NFLPA has failed to demonstrate a substantial question warranting the extraordinary remedy of injunctive relief or a balance of hardships that decidedly weighs in its favor.

"The arbitrator gave Mr Elliott ample opportunity, in terms of both proceedings and evidence, to challenge the Commissioner's decision."

Failla stayed the decision for 24 hours to allow the NFL Players Association time to consider appealing the ruling.

They have the option of appealing Failla's decision to the US Court of Appeals and seeking a stay that could allow Elliott to continue playing during the appeal process.

The 22-year-old Elliott attended the court proceedings on Monday.

Elliott was suspended for six games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on August 11 after a 13-month probe into allegations he assaulted an ex-girlfriend.

But Elliott, the fourth overall selection in the 2016 draft, was never arrested nor charged by police in the incident.

The players union was granted a preliminary injunction by a federal judge in Texas on September 8, but a federal appeals court in New Orleans sided with the NFL on October 12 and lifted the injunction. The players union then went to the Southern District Court in New York.

The second-year running back was granted a temporary restraining order by district judge Paul Crotty on October 17, but that order is expiring.

With the case in court, Elliott has played seven games for the Cowboys this season.

If Elliott serves the six-game suspension, he would be ineligible until Dallas faces Oakland on December 17.

Source:AFP