There's a possibility the Ezekiel Elliott case may take another wild turn.

On Oct. 30, the Honorable Judge Katherine Polk Failla returned from vacation and dissolved the original temporary restraining order issued in favor of the Dallas Cowboys' running back. No preliminary injunction was granted and Elliott is now suspended for six games barring a successful appeal by the NFLPA on Oct. 31.

It appears a new angle has peeked through the blinds that gives Elliott's team a sliver of hope, albeit an exceptionally thin one considering what it would take to prove such a damning accusation against a federal judge.

I really think this guy might be related to Judge Failla. He is a partner at the firm that helped negotiate the CBA for the NFL pic.twitter.com/OksllqxEyK — Calvin Green (@calvin_w_green) October 31, 2017

It's something the NFLPA is reportedly willing to give a one-over, though.

It is my understanding this morning that this is being "looked into" with regards to Ezekiel Elliott's case. https://t.co/QsES7UaHv2 — Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 31, 2017

To be clear, this is a serious stretch even if relation can be proven. Being kin doesn't immediately make Failla guilty of not doing her job in an impartial manner. It's a grievous allegation to heave at a federal judge, and proving it would take a lot of time -- which Elliott is all out of at this point -- along with a mountain of effort with the gargantuan risk of gaining absolutely nothing in the end.

And that's a point Anderson understands very well.

Last name does not certify there's a relation b/w the Judge & this individual, nor that any link would substantiate a conflict in EE case. https://t.co/JMj9mF3jco — Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 31, 2017

It's also key to note the time required to achieve due diligence on this matter, locate any alleged proof of partiality and then argue it successfully in a court of law would make this a moot pursuit in and of itself. To put it plainly, it could easily be 2018 before this case is ever truly argued on a docket -- given it's magnitude and the sheer burden of proof on Elliott's team.

They only have 24 hours from Judge Failla's ruling to file and win an appeal, however. This would mean they'd need to locate damning evidence against her in a matter of hours to convince the Second District there's enough to pull the emergency brake on her decision, which is exceedingly unlikely.

There are a myriad of other merits that are far more substantive which can and will be used should the NFLPA go forward with an appeal.

Accusing a federal judge of nepotism is probably not one of them. Unless they have a smoking gun -- and a few months to argue this long after Elliott has served his suspension -- they'll likely move on from it as quickly as it came to their attention, opting to instead focus on the points that got them the first two temporary restraining orders: Unfair process, irreparable harm and conspiracy.

There's at least credence in those three points, as opposed to blindly throwing punches into the wind.

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