The Dallas Cowboys have DeMarco Murray dealing with a hand injury and that gives fantasy football owners the choice of Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar as replacements to start in Week 16 for the playoffs against the Colts if Murray sits, although right now Jason Garrett is hopeful that the running back will play for the Cowboys.
Murray has been the best running back in the league this season and one of the top fantasy players and now he is dealing with a significant injury. The timing could not be worse for fantasy owners, as many are into the playoffs or in the championship week for their respective leagues. Murray has the highest percentage of yards gained for his team this season and he has been one player that owners have been able to ride through the fantasy season and into the playoffs.
According to ESPN.com, Murray had hand surgery on Monday and was able to return to practice on Wednesday, although no decision has been made about him playing yet. Murray broke a bone in his left hand against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night football and he said after the game that he hopes to play on Sunday against the Colts. ESPN writes that Murray broke his fourth metacarpal and that if things heal enough, he will be in the starting lineup for the Cowboys.
Garrett said he wants to see how Murray reacts to the surgery and also wants to be sure that Murray can handle all of his duties in the offense. Apart from being the leading rusher in the league, Murray is responsible for pass blocking, catching the ball out of the backfield and carrying the ball securely without fumbling. Adding a cast or protection to the hand could affect those responsibilities and Garrett will have to weigh whether it's worth putting in Murray when he is not fully healed.
The Cowboys have not officially locked up a playoff spot yet, but they have the inside track as division winners after beating the Eagles last week. Murray has been the best player in the league at his position this season and he comes in with 1687 yards on the season, meaning he is not likely to get to 2000 yards, especially if he missed the game on Sunday. Murray was on pace for over 2000 yards, but after going for less than 100 in three of his past six games, it's unlikely he makes it there.
That is really not a concern for the Cowboys, as they want to make the playoffs and now if Murray is out, Dunbar and Randle are going to get the bulk of the carries. Randle comes into the game with 237 rushing yards this season and he is averaging seven yards per carry on 34 rushes in 14 games. Murray has been the workhorse, but the Cowboys trust Randle and they also like Dunbar in the offense. This season Dunbar has just 91 yards in 14 games, but he has been a factor out of the backfield with 16 catches.
The Cowboys have not yet ruled out Murray and fantasy football owners should be very careful as they get down to the end of the season, as Murray's status could dictate league winners and losers.
