The NFL appears to have enforced its “baseline” six-game suspension against just two of 18 players publicly linked to domestic violence allegations since Roger Goodell announced the new policy in 2014.

Of the two NFL players known to have actually received six-game suspensions linked to abuse claims since August 2014, one was already a free agent and the other was former Lions offensive lineman Rodney Austin. 

“The NFL is definitely inconsistent,” says Austin, who was found guilty on domestic violence charges after a fight with his girlfriend, though Austin disputes her account of events. Austin believes the NFL's investigation into Ezekiel Elliott remained conveniently incomplete through the playoffs.

“They want to protect their investments. They want to protect their stars who are either coming into or are in the prime of their career. Zeke is out there playing and I’m not.”

For the seven players known to have been suspended after domestic violence-related allegations since late August 2014, it has taken an average of 11 months from the time of allegation to a public NFL conclusion. In some cases, the league's independent inquiries have taken longer to conclude than associated criminal proceedings.

Outsiders skeptical of the NFL’s commitment to the new policy since it was announced have continued to demand answers and question the credibility of the league’s leadership on domestic violence.

Helen A. Drew, a professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law who has studied the NFL’s policies extensively, says the Rice backlash “should have been the wake-up call of a lifetime.” She continued:

“For the suspensions we have seen, we’ve seen less than six games, too,” says Daniel Werly, a sports attorney who has represented professional players and leagues. “We don’t know why the NFL is doing that—the application of the new policy has been almost nonexistent.”

“We are supposed to believe those investigative reports are totally objective,” says Roger Abrams, a law professor at Northeastern University. “I can’t believe that’s the case. Who makes the ultimate decision? Roger Goodell is not neutral on domestic violence. He runs a $13-billion-a-year business.”

Martavis Bryant, who was suspended for the 2016 season for violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy, applied for reinstatement with the league this week, according to Bryant's agent, Thomas Santanello.

Bryant will be subject to a meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell or his representative, along with a league medical advisor who will make a recommendation to Goodell based on the strength of the case.

The reinstatement process is designed to "enable the Commissioner to render a decision within 60 days of the receipt of the application," according to the league's Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse, but the process can take longer than that if necessary.

In recent months, Bryant underwent NFL-administered treatment while training and coaching local high school football in Henderson, Nevada.

The NFL has submitted follow-up questions to Ezekiel Elliott related to the assault accusations made in July by his ex-girlfriend, league sources told ESPN.

Elliott is still in the process of responding to the league's questions, which he received within the past month.

Any potential discipline will be for the 2017 season.

Over the summer, Elliott's ex-girlfriend posted pictures of her bruised arms on Instagram and tagged Elliott, sparking an investigation that has lasted all season. 

Randy Gregory has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year after a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Gregory served two other suspensions totaling 14 games this season.