Lance Dunbar “Really Wanted to Play”

Dunbar was held out of Thursday's preseason opener

Cowboys backup running back Lance Dunbar didn’t play in the preseason opener against the San Diego Chargers, giving way to second-year back Joseph Randle--who looked pretty good, actually--and Ryan Williams.

If Dunbar had his way though, he would’ve been in there with the aforementioned Randle and Williams.

I really wanted to play,” Dunbar said, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Like it was the first game, the first live game back, and I wanted to get back out there. And just to have fun. It’s fun to play football. It was a chance to play with my teammates and just show off your talents. I missed playing.”

The fact that he didn’t play might be a good sign for Dunbar, though, a sign that the Cowboys are planning on him playing a significant role in the offense. Head coach Jason Garrett even put him in the same breath as starter (and Pro Bowler) DeMarco Murray, who was also held out of the opener, after the game.

“Well, certainly we have a good feel for what he can do,” Garrett said. “We just want to be selective with certain guys in preseason. DeMarco Murray did not play in the game. We felt the same way about Dunbar. As the preseason goes along, both those guys will get plenty of work. But he’s a very good football player. He shows us that whenever he gets a chance in practice here in training camp as he has when he has had game opportunities in the past. So as we go forward. he’ll definitely get some reps. We think he’s going to be a big part of our offense.”

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