Ray Rice's Suspension Appeal Hearing Date Reportedly Set

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who is currently serving an indefinite suspension from the NFL, has reportedly gotten his appeal hearing set. 

According to Peter Alexander of NBC News, Rice's hearing will take place on November 5 and 6 with the possibility that he'll be allowed back into the NFL before the end of this season:

However, for Rice to play a game, a team will have to sign him. The Ravens released Rice, and the NFL changed his two-game suspension to an indefinite one on September 8. That was the same date TMZ released graphic video footage of Rice punching his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City elevator. 

Per an ESPN.com report, former United States District Judge Barbara S. Jones will serve as the neutral arbitrator, and she will decide if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is required to testify in the case. 

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Union officials said in announcing the appeal that Goodell and his staff's testimony is a central reason it pushed to jointly select an outside arbiter.

Goodell said in appointing Jones that she would have "our full cooperation as she hears and decides this appeal.'' Jones is a partner in a private law firm and is also a former Department of Justice attorney.

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Rice did play in two preseason games with the Ravens in August before being indefinitely suspended. Depending on when the judge issues a ruling in the case and what the outcome is, Rice could be reinstated before the Sunday games in Week 10 on November 9. 

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