Ray Rice could be back on the field this season.
The former Baltimore Ravens running back has won his appeal and is eligible to play immediately, according to multiple sources. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, citing a source directly involved in the situation, Rice had his indefinite suspension overturned and can now sign with any NFL team.
Rice has been on the sidelines for 12 weeks following the release of a video tape that showed him violently punching his then-fiancée Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City elevator. The running back was initially suspended two games by Roger Goodell, before the NFL stiffened the punishment and suspended him indefinitely.
Rice appealed the decision earlier this month. After two days of testimony from Rice, his now-wife, Goodell, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, and many others, U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones ruled in Rice’s favor.
According to NFL.com, Rice’s side argued that he was “subjected to double jeopardy” when he was handed down the indefinite suspension. Rice and the union argued that he was truthful with the NFL about what happened, and that the league didn’t learn any new information when the video was made public.
Rice was released by Baltimore on Sept 8. He is currently a free agent.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
