Life without DeMarco Murray keeps getting more, um, interesting for the Cowboys.
While it’s challenging enough to fill the void left by the NFL’s leading rusher, injuries are decimating his potential posse of replacements. Darren McFadden remains on the PUP list with a nagging hamstring. Ryan Williams was released on the eve of camp in part because of lingering knee problems.
NBC 5 Sports Takes You to Cowboys Camp 2015
And while fans were already clamoring for at least a tryout of veterans runners such as Stephen Jackson and/or Ray Rice, the Cowboys lost another back yesterday in Oxnard.
Lance Dunbar, a third-down specialist but currently No. 2 on the depth chart behind Joseph Randle, limped off the field and appeared to tweak his right ankle.
He’s listed only as "day-to-day," but any injury to the backfield at this point raises more concerns.
"We really don’t think it’s a serious issue at this point," team vice president Stephen Jones told reporters about Dunbar’s injury.
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If Dunbar misses a day or two while McFadden still rounds into shape, the Cowboys would have only as running backs Randle, Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson, better known as two guys extremely unlikely to make the final roster.
With Dunbar’s injury not considered serious and with McFadden possibly returning to practice by the weekend, for now the Cowboys won’t bring in another back. But without Murray, they’re walking a thin line.
Dallas Cowboys 2017 Training Camp Dates:
(all times CT)
- Sat., July 22: Team Charter arrives at Pt. Mugu
- Sun., July 23: Opening press conference (1 p.m.)
- Mon., July 24: First practice - full roster (5:45 p.m.)
- Wed., Aug. 2: Team travels to Canton, Ohio
- Thurs., Aug. 3: Hall of Fame Game vs. Arizona (7 p.m.)
- Sat., Aug. 5: Jerry Jones' Hall of Fame Enshrinement
- Mon., Aug. 7: Practice Resumes (Oxnard, Calif.)
- Aug. 11-13: Dallas at Los Angeles, LA Memorial Coliseum (8 p.m.)
- Fri., Aug. 18: Break camp in Oxnard
- Sat., Aug. 19: Dallas vs. Indianapolis, AT&T Stadium (6 p.m.)
- Mon., Aug. 21-Tue. Aug. 29: Training camp resumes at The Star in Frisco
- Sat., Aug. 26: Dallas vs. Oakland, AT&T Stadium (7 p.m.)
- Thurs., Aug. 31: Dallas at Houston, NRG Stadium (7 p.m.)
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
