Former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice could be reinstated within a month. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported the three-time Pro Bowler, who's suspended indefinitely, has a strong case to have his ban lifted, and, pending the result of his upcoming appeal, could be eligible to play in mid-November.
Rice was released from the Ravens and subsequently suspended indefinitely by the league following TMZ's release of the elevator tape showing Rice striking his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer. Sources, though, told La Canfora Rice could be reinstated within the next four weeks.
"An appeal hearing date has been set, with a final decision expected to come in an expeditious manner thereafter, and all of that could be resolved by mid-November, which would conceivably allow Rice to sign with another team this season," La Canfora wrote Sunday. "... Numerous legal experts I've spoken to believe Rice has an exceedingly strong case, and, considering it could be Week 10 or so before this hearing is resolved, it's hard for them to conceive that Rice isn't reinstated by (third-party arbitrator Barbara S.) Jones as part of her decision."
Rice, whose legal team wants a decision rendered as soon as possible, will likely be helped by the NFL's new domestic violence policy, which allows a first-time offender to be suspended a maximum of six games. The 27-year-old will also argue, according to La Canfora, that nothing in the case changed from the time he was initially suspended for two games to the league suspending him indefinitely.
Jones is expected to rule sometime this week on several discovery motions made by the NFLPA, and both sides - the NFLPA and the league - have agreed to get the appeal hearing underway quickly.
Even if Rice were reinstated, it's uncertain which - if any - teams would sign him this season. La Canfora suggested the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts: New England because of coach Bill Belichick's relationship with Rice's former Rutgers coach, Greg Schiano, and Indianapolis because of coach Chuck Pagano, who knew Rice while working as an assistant coach in Baltimore.
