The Dallas Cowboys have Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden as the main running backs for fantasy football owners and they are both worth starting against the Giants on Sunday night. The best players to start for the Cowboys include Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Terrance Williams, as Dallas could put up some big numbers to start the season against a banged up Giants defense.
The running game is likely going to take a hit without DeMarco Murray coming back, but the Cowboys are confident in Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden at the top of the depth chart. Lance Dunbar is coming in at third on the roster at RB and the Cowboys added Christine Michael with a trade from the Seahawks. McFadden and Randle are splitting carries and Dunbar could also see some work in the game against the Giants.
The Dallas Morning News reports that the Cowboys are still having a "battle" for snaps among the running backs and while Randle is leading, McFadden could end up getting more touches if he stays healthy and consistent. The Cowboys have Dunbar and Michael on the roster and they could push those players into the mix if things are not working out as the team planned.
The Dallas Cowboys will be without Orlando Scandrick for the 2015 season with an ACL injury and that could push Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Byron Jones as the main starters at the position. As for the RBs, Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden are expected to be fine for Sunday night Week 1 after dealing with minor injuries in the preseason.
The Cowboys defense will be without a starter now with Scandrick out for the season and the injury occurred in practice in camp. Losing Scandrick hurts the Cowboys in the secondary and it will now force either Morris Claiborne or Byron Jones into the starting lineup with Brandon Carr. Jones was a first round pick this offseason and Claiborne has had his struggles on the field since being drafted high a few years ago. Scandrick has been a consistent player for the Cowboys over the years and he just signed a contract extension with the team. Last season Scandrick had 55 total tackles and one sack with two interceptions.
Carr now will be the primary cornerback and the next stretch of practices could be what pushes either Jones or Claiborne into the starting lineup. Carr is coming back from a broken bone in his hand, but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Carr has not missed a game in his career and he comes in after putting up 54 total tackles with one sack and zero interceptions last season.
The Cowboys reportedly considered cutting Carr this offseason if he didn't take a pay cut, but that didn't end up happening and with Scandrick injured, the team may be lucky they did not let him go. The team likely will add some depth with training camp players or a free agent, but either way, Jones and Claiborne both could see significantly more playing time this season. Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas predicted that Jones would not open the season as a starter, but that was before Scandrick went down with an injury.
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