The Dallas Cowboys have had Joseph Randle the starter in training camp while Darren McFadden has been injured at running back and moving forward the team could look at adding Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Ray Rice, Felix Jones or Ben Tate as free agent options if any more injuries happen with Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson also on the roster.
The Cowboys let DeMarco Murray walk in free agency and head coach Jason Garrett has said that he is comfortable with Randle and McFadden as the main running backs on the depth chart. Randle is coming in after an impressive season in 2014 based on his carries, while McFadden was the only significant free agent addition after Murray went to sign with the Eagles. According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Randle is the lead back this season and the number one job is his "to lose" in training camp.
McFadden started training camp on the injured list after dealing with a hamstring issue, but the Cowboys have said the injury is not serious. McFadden dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in the offseason, but ESPN Dallas reports that the current injury is not to the same leg from before. Charean Williams reported on Twitter that McFadden's injury was described as "day to day" and that Randle would open as the first team back in training camp.
Ahead of camp the team released Ryan Williams and signed Gus Johnson to join Lache Seastrunk behind Lance Dunbar on the roster. McFadden is expected to be the number two back if Randle signs and Williams reported last week that owner Jerry Jones said he had "confidence" that Randle can be the number one starter. Randle was impressive last season in limited action, putting up 343 yards in 16 games on just 51 carries. Randle averaged 6.7 yards per carry and he doubled his output from the previous season on fewer carries.
Todd Archer from ESPN Dallas reports that the Cowboys are planning to run the ball as much as they did last season despite losing Murray and his 1800 plus yards. Randle could get between 15-20 carries per game and the Cowboys are confident that the offensive line will be good again for the rushing game after helping Murray have a career season. McFadden played in 16 games for the first time in his career last season and now he has started off his Cowboys run with some injuries. McFadden reportedly will be back in a "week or so" and head coach Jason Garrett said that was the "hopeful" timetable for his return.
The Cowboys could look at adding a veteran free agent if McFadden aggravates his injury again after coming back and the team could look at adding depth behind Dunbar. While Seastrunk and Johnson both have potential, they are inexperienced and the Cowboys may want some more help in case McFadden deals with injuries this season. The Cowboys flirted with Adrian Peterson this offseason, but he is officially back with the Vikings now and it comes after the team had been consistent all offseason about wanting Peterson back and now he has returned.
