Ezekiel Elliott to play vs. Oakland & more NFL news

UNDATED (AP) — Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is likely to make his preseason debut Saturday against Oakland.

The game is expected to be his only action before the 2016 NFL rushing leader begins a suspension for a domestic violence incident.

Elliott has appealed the six-game suspension he received after the NFL concluded he used physical force against his girlfriend at the time last summer in Columbus, Ohio. The appeal is scheduled for next week.

Checking out other NFL news:

— Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was perfect in his preseason debut, completing both of his passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. His 9-yard strike to Kelvin Benjamin capped a 10-play, 75-yard opening drive that showed Panthers coach Ron Rivera all he needed to see from his star quarterback.

— Texans receiver Jaelen Strong has been suspended without pay for the team’s season opener for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The punishment comes after Strong was arrested for possession of marijuana in Arizona in February 2016.

— Bills running back LeSean McCoy has chimed in on Colin Kaepernick’s (KAP’-ur-nihks) inability to sign a contract with a new team. McCoy says he believes one reason teams haven’t signed the quarterback is because he represents too much of a distraction for a player who would likely be a backup. Kaepernick remains unsigned and received criticism for refusing to stand for the national anthem.

— Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall said he’s considering reviving his take-a-knee protest during the national anthem. Marshall was prepared to focus solely on football this season after being was one of the first NFL players last year to follow the lead of Kaepernick. But in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, Marshall indicated this week that several players are considering doing so prior to kickoff Saturday night against Green Bay.

— The Cardinals received a visit Thursday from Ariz. Sen. John McCain during the team’s final workout at University of Phoenix Stadium. McCain chatted with team officials and players just a week after he completed his first round of radiation and chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer.

— Former Packers running back Ahman Green has pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges. The 40-year-old Green is accused of striking his teenage daughter in the head in a dispute over household chores in June at his Green Bay area home.