Ray Rice could possibly play in NFL again this season

Ray Rice, the former Baltimore Ravens running back shown in a controversial video striking his then-fiancee, could possibly be reinstated to the NFL within the next four weeks.

CBSSports.com' Jason La Canfora reported Sunday that Rice, who remains under an indefinite suspension and who was cut from the Ravens last month after the video surfaced, is awaiting an appeal hearing date, with a final decision to come soon after. The entire case could be resolved by mid-November, which may allow Rice to sign with another NFL team this season.

Former U.S. District Court Judge Barbara S. Jones is handling the appeal, acting as a neutral third party arbitrator. Each side in the case has agreed to a date to conduct the hearing in the near future. According to CBSSports.com, expectations are high that Rice's playing status will be resolved before the completion of the investigation being done into the league's handling of Rice's case, which is being led by former FBI chief Robert Mueller.

Rice has said his testimony to Commissioner Roger Goodell was truthful, La Canfora reported. His legal team will argue that Rice suspension should be a maximum of six games, which has already passed.

Legal experts believe that Rice's case is strong and think Rice could be cleared to play again by Jones sometime later in the season.