The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of pressure on their run game as speculation continues to rise over whether or not the team did enough to replace DeMarco Murray. The running back was their x-factor last season and letting him leave raised plenty of eyebrows. To make matters worse, the Cowboys are dealing with injuries to their top two starting backs which is leaving an undrafted free agent to build his name quickly.
According to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, Joseph Randle is dealing with an oblique strain that leaves him doubtful for the first preseason game. That pairs with Darren McFadden who has yet to be seen at a training camp practice thanks to a lingering hamstring that has been an issue since the running back entered the NFL. Lance Dunbar is also dealing with injuries after suffering an ankle sprain in practice. With three running backs knocked off the depth chart, Gus Johnson is going to get his time to shine.
Johnson came to the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin and the Dallas Morning News confirmed he will be starting in the preseason game against San Diego. Johnson has had limited snaps, but has earned rave reviews from his teammates which could get him a roster spot for the year.
"Gus did a good job yesterday. We had a short yardage and goal line," Romo said on KTCK-AM 1310 via The Morning News. "It's hard because you don't have live so you don't have the chance to show your ability to break a tackle, maybe get through a gap with a thud, not being a thud, it's not a tackle. I just think he showed a little bit when we were live yesterday in some of the shortage. He's got a chance."
Owner Jerry Jones is standing strong on his unwillingness to sign someone off the free agent market. With Ray Rice, Steven Jackson and Pierre Thomas all looking for contract deals, the Cowboys would be considered a prime landing spot. Johnson's performance in the preseason could be the biggest deciding factor in what Dallas does. Considering history with injuries is not working in McFadden's favor and Randle might not be ready to carry the complete load, adding a veteran to the mix could be what helps Dallas in the long run. Time will tell if Jones backs down from the idea of not adding another player.