Sure, Murray was the NFL’s leading rusher with Adrian Peterson missing the season; but the Cowboys’ offensive line deserves just as much credit for that feat as Murray himself. I’m a rookie, so they need to find out what I can do. Even Lance Dunbar is injured with a sprained ankle.
Advertisement
This week, Randle hurt his oblique in practice, while McFadden has yet to practice all training camp due to his hamstring injury.
And the top five pick by Oakland in 2008 is looking to put seven mostly disappointing and injury-plagued seasons with the Raiders behind him.
SB Nation suggested that Johnson was an underrated running back during this year’s draft and he has the potential to be the Cowboys’ secondary runner after Randle if McFadden’s injury would not make him available this season.
That is what this camp is about for the running backs … seizing the moment, and just from the looks of the depth chart and injury report, nobody on the running back roster has yet to “seize the moment”.
Dunbar, an undrafted player in his fourth year, has always been viewed as more of a specialty back whereas McFadden has the size (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) to be an every-down power back in the same mold as Murray.
This rule may impact teams like the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers more than other teams because all three teams have high scoring offenses (meaning more extra point decisions to make) and play their home games outdoors in locales that often see poor weather. That resentment was subdued last season because McClain was so effective – and at times dominant – when he did play. “I’m a mature guy”. I know defenses, and I know how to read them when I’m out there. Jones will not only contribute his own skills to the Dallas secondary, he will also whip players like Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr back into shape by threatening their futures with the team. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said yesterday there is no timetable for his return. “He hasn’t really practiced very much since he’s been with us, but he’s a veteran player”. As long as Randle doesn’t have a setback, all three running backs should practice next week, and they may each earn some playing time in week two of the preseason.
Advertisement
Now the Cowboys finally get to see what he’ll do in those situations.
