The Dallas Cowboys are making roster adjustments heading into training camp. After getting Dez Bryant signed to a new contract, focus shifts to the run game where many NFL experts believe will be the weakest point for Dallas. Last season the run game was the savior for the Cowboys, but after letting DeMarco Murray walk away to the Philadelphia Eagles they only replaced him with Darren McFadden. Now the rotation becomes another man short.
The Dallas Cowboys announced Tuesday via NFL.com that Ryan Williams has undergone another knee procedure and the team would be releasing him as a result. Williams has dealt with a number of injuries in his career since entering the league in 2011. He was once predicted to be the next-best rusher of the league before suffering knee injuries and broken collarbones among other issues that kept him off the field more than on it. The Cowboys originally signed Williams to a two-year contract in free agency and his release simply adds more doubt to the rotation.
According to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com the Cowboys have an open roster spot they can use in a number of ways. Team vice president Stephen Jones has said the Cowboys have a short list of veterans they will target if a spot is open for someone. There is mutual interest with Chris Johnson who is healthy following an offseason gun-shot wound. Ben Tate and Felix Jones both came in for offseason workouts, but walked away with no contracts in place. Steven Jackson is also healthy and aiming for a return to the NFL.
While a veteran will be a quality addition, is there a better move? According to John Clayton of ESPN.com, the Cowboys could still be an option for Ray Rice after Ed Werder reported that the running back was personally calling teams to try and get a roster spot. Rice would really be a huge upgrade over everyone on the Cowboys' roster, but would also be a huge media headache. The Cowboys have not shied away from media issues especially this season. Dallas signed Greg Hardy, La'el Collins and Randy Gregory all earned contracts despite red flags on their resume.
Right now, the Cowboys will enter camp with McFadden and Joseph Randle battling for the starting spot and Lance Dunbar rounding out the rotation. Prior to the release of Williams, there was doubt that Dunbar would make the final roster, but right now the Cowboys cannot afford to get rid of them. If a player like Rice or Johnson were to sign, Dunbar could end up getting released.
