The Dallas Cowboys have Darren McFadden and Josepha Randle competing to start at running back this season and the race has not yet been decided heading into Week 1 and this comes as the team could consider adding free agent Trent Richardson to the mix after his release. The team also has Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Byron Jones stepping up as starters with Orlando Scandrick out for the year with an injury.
UPDATE: Montee Ball is coming up in trade rumors and some reports have the Cowboys as a team that is interested. The team would like to add an RB before the season starts. Multiple reports from local Denver outlets have the sides talking, but there are conflicting reports about whether a deal will go down or not. Either way, Ball looks to be finished in Denver or at least a 3rd or 4th string back now. Check here for more.
The Cowboys are planning to use both Randle and McFadden significantly this season, but the first running back on the depth chart should be in line for the majority of carries. DeMarco Murray touched the ball over 450 times last season and the Cowboys are going to have to find a way to make up for that production. The team has Lance Dunbar and Gus Johnson on the roster for now and they could add someone like Trent Richardson or Ray Rice as a free agent.
According to CBS Sports, COO Stephen Jones said earlier this week in a radio interview that the team could be open to adding another running back heading into the season. Jones was quoted as saying that if the team "saw a young running back to add to the mix" that the team would "look at it." Richardson was just cut and while he has flamed out with three teams now, he is just 25 years old and could be a solid depth option behind Dunbar, Randle and McFadden.
The Cowboys have been content with the stable of running backs they have, as they have not added any major names over the summer. Ray Rice, Steven Jackson and Chris Johnson all got some mention earlier in the summer, but the Cowboys have consistently said they are satisfied with McFadden and Randle at the top. The RB situation is intriguing for the Cowboys and for now the team has still not named a starter. Jason Garrett said he is not worried about the RB situation, as he expects both players to contribute.
Neither player has been all that great in the preseason, but that likely will not have much bearing on who starts anyway. McFadden started in Week 2 of the preseason after both players sat out the first game and in the second game Randle started before giving way to McFadden. McFadden has had injury issues in the past (and this summer with a hamstring) but he was able to play 16 games for the first time in his career last year and he will try and continue that this season.
The Cowboys have Orlando Scandrick out for the season and now the team may use a combination of Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and Byron Jones as starters to help make up for the loss. The team thinks that Jones has the chance to be a star in the NFL and that is why they took him in the first round of the draft. Claiborne has been a disappointment, but he will get the chance to prove himself this season with Scandrick out.
Check here for more on the Cowboys and the starting RB situation and possible interest in Richardson.
