Jason Garrett wants to decrease reps for DeMarco Murray

By Cory Buck | Oct 7, 2014

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs with the ball against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Texans 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Cowboys know from the top of the organization right down to the coaching staff that they should limit running back DeMarco Murray’s touches in an effort to preserve him for a long season that extends into the postseason and hopefully a long career. But it’s hard to do when Murray is running at a historic pace with no signs of wear. Still, coach Jason Garrett acknowledged the obvious on Monday — it’s time to take it easy on DeMarco Murray.

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“DeMarco was out there and we think that’s probably too many carries in the game, week in and week out,” Garrett said, per ESPN. “He ended up with 31 so we’d like to get that number lower. We’d really just like to get the other guys an opportunity. I don’t see any wear and tear in DeMarco but having said that, we want to make sure we create a rotation and we’ll focus on doing that in the next few weeks.”

This comment comes on the heels of owner/general manager Jerry Jones expressing similar sentiments via the Dallas Morning News before Murray ran for over 100 yards for the fifth consecutive game to start the 2014 season. He became just the third player in NFL history to do so, putting him in elite Hall-of-Fame company.

All of that only makes the decision harder for the Cowboys. Their offense could be in the midst of a 2,000 yard season by a running back, making it hard to identify times when Murray should be benched. As long as the Cowboys are stuck in close games like their Week 5 victory against the Houston Texans, it will be hard to envision times when they should go easy on the workhorse that’s getting the job done for a 4-1 Dallas squad.

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