Cowboys Say They're Ready to “Take the Reins Off” Christine Michael

When the Dallas Cowboys return from their bye next week, they’ll so so with a rushing attack that features a lot more Christine Michael, apparently.

With DeMarco Murray in Philadelphia, the Cowboys’ rushing attack has struggled to find its stride, and last week the team lost Lance Dunbar for the season with a devastating knee injury. As of the conclusion of Week 5, the team ranked 19th in rushing with 106.2 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry.

Joseph Randle is averaging a mere 3.9 yards per carry. Darren McFadden is averaging 3.5.

Perhaps because of this, running backs coach Gary Brown indicated this week that Michael’s workload could be a lot bigger going forward.

“I think we’re going to give him an opportunity to go out and do some more snaps. I think he’s earned it,” Brown told the team's official website. “He’s worked hard, he’s been everything we’ve expected off the field, and he’s a student of the game. We’re looking forward to seeing him play.”

After spending the first three games of the season on the inactive list, Michael has been available in each of the team’s past two games, but they’ve used him sparingly. To date, he has five yards as a member of the Cowboys, on two carries.

“He can do more things. I think the thing is that he had to learn and he had to feel comfortable with it,” Brown said. “I think he’s where he needs to be, and we want to take the reins off him and let him rock.”