The Dallas Cowboys continue to dodge questions regarding their run game despite having another player go down with an injury. In the team's first pre-season game of the season, Gus Johnson suffered a shoulder injury. He was getting the start following injuries to Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar. With four backs dealing with setbacks, the Cowboys have yet to add someone in free agency and they might not as McFadden prepares to make his return to the field.
After losing DeMarco Murray in free agency, the Cowboys replaced the NFL-leading rusher with McFadden who was not being re-signed by the Oakland Raiders following two bad stints with the team. McFadden immediately resorted to his old ways, suffering a hamstring injury in OTAs, but now the running back is making his return and ready to prove himself.
According to the Dallas Morning News, McFadden has been removed from the PUP list and is now on the active roster with his field debut coming this week. The running back missed the first 11 practices in training camp plus most of mini-camp, leaving many to believe the Cowboys need a better option than the often-injured veteran. McFadden told the media he is ready to contribute.
"It's very hard. I'm the type of guy who wants to be out there with my teammates and seeing how they grind the way they do, I want to be out there and be a part of that," McFadden said, via The Dallas Morning News. "I'm happy to be back out there on the field and I'm just looking forward to getting out there and just being better every day."
Randle is also expected to make his return to the field this week which will give Dallas their intended starting duo back together. Owner Jerry Jones has endorsed both McFadden and Randle as the top two running backs for the team while dodging questions of possible roster additions. According to ESPN.com, the Cowboys are not ready to make moves for players like Ray Rice, Steven Jackson or Pierre Thomas as they remain confident in the players on the roster. With McFadden coming back that will likely remain the case unless he goes down again.
The secondary is also dealing with issues at the moment. The Cowboys already have Brandon Carr dealing with a broken hand. Now Byron Jones is dealing with a shoulder injury as the first-round pick was injured in a collision with Morris Claiborne. Orlando Scandrick is also dealing with knee issues, which leaves Claiborne as the only healthy starter for the next few days. Considering he is at risk of getting released, the extra playing time could secure his future for the year.