NFC Notes: Elliott, Reed, Saints

As we get prepared for the first slate of Sunday games in 2017, let’s take a quick swing around the NFC:

• Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott was granted a temporary restraining order against the NFL, thereby putting his six-game suspension on hold and allowing him to be available for the remainder of the season while his case is sorted out. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the NFL is considering appealing that restraining order and is still discussing the matter with its attorneys.
• The toe injury that has been ailing Redskins TE Jordan Reed is actually a fracture in his big toe that impacts the way he runs, and he will be battling that injury for at least the early part of the season, as Rapoport writes. Reed is one of the most talented tight ends in the league, but he has yet to play a full 16-game season.
• The Eagles have returned the 2019 seventh-round selection they received from the Saints in the Jon Dorenbos trade in light of Dorenbos’ need for heart surgery and his release from New Orleans via injury settlement, as Howard Eskin of 94 WIP reports (via Twitter).
• Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro is eligible for unrestricted free agency next offseason, but Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune does not expect the two sides to agree to an extension during the season. He still believes they will reach a long-term deal at some point next year, but as Vaccaro’s value is up for debate, the team may prefer to see how he performs in 2017 before making a big commitment to him.
• Rams head coach Sean McVay was a key figure in getting star DT Aaron Donald to end his holdout, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Rather than traveling with the team to Green Bay for the Rams’ final preseason game, McVay went to Atlanta with Rams executives to meet with Donald’s representatives, and his presence underscored how important Donald was to McVay and to Los Angeles. It also helped to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
• Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com believes the Lions will wait to see if any of their young talent along the defensive line breaks out before going after an established veteran. Detroit’s pass rush is currently suspect at best, but the team could be hesitant to make a move until next week because if a veteran signs before the first game, his salary is guaranteed for the year. Plus, it’s not as though the free agent market is currently brimming with DL talent, as former Lions Wallace Gilberry and Darryl Tapp are among the best players available.