Injuries have been a downfall of Darren McFadden's career. During his stint with the Oakland Raiders, the running back failed to play a full season which resulted in inconsistencies on the field and a lack of production. Now with the Dallas Cowboys, McFadden is looking to change his injury-riddled ways, but things did not get off to a good start as a hamstring injury kept him off the field. Now McFadden is stressing he is fine.
McFadden told the media that he is feeling 100 percent as minicamp comes to a close. That is good news for Dallas fans as McFadden is expected to be the starting back in 2015. However, McFadden is denying that he is here to replace DeMarco Murray who was the star of last year. The running back is simply concerned with being himself and staying healthy.
"I'm 100 percent and ready to go play ball," McFadden said, via the Dallas Morning News. "It felt great. We were just taking precautions, they didn't want me to mess it up or anything crazy. Just being out there today, it felt great. I was out there running, opening up and just trying to do what I can do. For me, I'm not coming in here, trying to replace what DeMarco did last year or anything. I'm just coming in here and running the ball. If the coaches decide they want to give me 100 carries or 300 carries, I'm just up for whatever they decide."
The return of McFadden likely ends the interest in adding an additional running back at the moment. Jerry Jones seems confident in the current rotation that also includes Joseph Randle, Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar. John Clayton of ESPN.com had suggested the Cowboys were a potential landing spot for Ray Rice before training camp while the team has also been linked to Ben Tate and Chris Johnson. For now, they seem set.
Injuries have been a story in Cowboys' camp. The team got a scare on Thursday when wide receiver Terrance Williams went down with an elbow injury after colliding with a pair of defensive backs. According to Josh Alpher of ProFootballTalk.com, X-rays were negative on Williams which was positive considering he is the No.1 guy with Dez Bryant holding out.
The Cowboys did get a familiar face back in the locker room on the final day of camp as Bryant appeared at facilities and listened to a post-camp speech from head coach Jason Garrett. The wide receiver has been threatening a holdout well into the regular season if he does not get a contract extension. Garrett downplayed all issues to the media and stressed that he and Bryant have been in constant communication.
"He and I have been communicating all along and he knew what today was, so I think it's great that he is here," Garrett said, via Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
