The Dallas Cowboys run game seemed to be clicking during their Thanksgiving Day game against the Oakland Raiders. Starting running back DeMarco Murray carried the ball 17 times for 63 yards while back up Lance Dunbar carried the ball 12 times for 82 yards.
As promising as that was, it was short lived. Dunbar took a helmet to his knee and his season ended early.
“DeMarco Murray is our lead back, has been our lead back all year long, has done an excellent job for us, did a really good job in the game the other day again,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said, via ESPN.com. “He’ll be the lead dog. The other guys, Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner will have to step up if they have an opportunity if DeMarco can’t go.”
“We’d like to get the other backs in, give them a role, give a chance to give DeMarco rest, play a series, whatever that is,” Garrett said. “We’ll come up with what those substitution patterns are as the week goes on. We certainly feel confident in putting those other guys in the game though.”
It is important for the Cowboys to find a second back to help Murray, who has had issues with his durability, carry the load.