The Dallas Cowboys continue to combat rumors of their running back rotation as doubt still surrounds the abilities of Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle to replace DeMarco Murray in 2015. After opting not to draft a top running back earlier in the offseason, most believed Adrian Peterson was the likely addition. That is appearing to be just a pipe dream which is why Ray Rice's name is surfacing once again. However, Dallas fans should not expect to see him wearing the star this upcoming season.
Rice remains a mystery in the NFL. According to Marc Lancaster of Sporting News, Rice is not expected to take the field in 2015 for any team and might never take the field again in the NFL. The questions regarding the future of Rice came up after SI.com speculated which teams might take interest in the former Baltimore Ravens star and the Buffalo Bills, Cowboys, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were named as options. Now, everyone is speaking out against the idea.
Mike Rodak of ESPN reported the Bills are not interested in bringing on Rice as a running back option. The team released a statement saying they were content with their current options and saw no need to add to the roster. The Cowboys can be expected to take the same stance. Dallas has remained confident in their rotation of McFadden, Randle and Ryan Williams and that will not change unless injuries begin to hit.
According to Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones, Dallas has a short-list of veteran options should they feel the need to add a body to the roster during OTAs and training camp. Chris Johnson is confirmed on that list while Pierre Thomas and Steven Jackson are as well. Felix Jones and Ben Tate came in for workouts prior to practices starting, but both walked away without contracts. The tryout was likely to see exactly what they could offer as the Cowboys build an emergency backup plan if things start to sour on the field.
Dallas is staying put on their rotation. The Dallas Morning News reported Peterson is not being pursued as the Minnesota Vikings hold strong to his future. Jerry Jones once said he would give up a first-round pick for a game-changing running back. If that is still the case, the only option would be Matt Forte.