The last time the Cowboys handed the ball to a running back in a game it was to, of course, DeMarco Murray. Since Murray left for the Eagles in free agency in March there have been lots of guesses as to who would get Dallas’ next carry.
Joseph Randle. Lance Dunbar. Darren McFadden. Ryan Williams. Adrian Peterson. Chris Johnson. Ray Rice. Stephen Jackson. Maybe even Herschel Walker.
Nope, sorry. If you guessed Gus Johnson, take a bow.
The Cowboys’ chore of replacing the NFL’s leading rusher continues to be a challenge. The plan of using a three-man committee is on pause because of injuries, the latest an oblique strain to Randle which on Monday sidelined the current No. 1 back.
With McFadden (hamstring) yet to practice in camp and Dunbar (ankle) having missed the last five practices in Oxnard, none of the team’s top three backs will likely be in uniform Thursday for the pre-season opener against the Chargers.
That swings the door open for Johnson, an undrafted rookie from Stephen F. Austin. He’ll start and get the bulk of the carries along with Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk, neither of whom have much of a chance to land higher than the Cowboys’ practice squad.
The Cowboys continue to insist they aren’t looking to add a veteran running back. But with each passing day and each mounting injury, that logic makes less and less sense.
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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.
