The Dallas Cowboys placed running back Darren McFadden on the reserve/non-football injury list on Saturday, which will keep him out the first six weeks.
The Dallas Cowboys drafted a running back in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, selecting Ezekiel Elliott out of Ohio State. From day one, it was expected that Elliott would assume the starting role as a rookie. During the off-season, incumbent starter Darren McFadden broke his elbow after slipping on cement at a funeral.
On Saturday, the Cowboys placed McFadden on the reserve/non-football injury list. Had the team not drafted Elliott, this would be devastating news to a team that has already lost starting quarterback Tony Romo for the foreseeable future. With Elliott on the roster, the loss of McFadden is not something the organization will lose sleep over.
A former first round draft selection of the Oakland Raiders, McFadden has battled injuries throughout his career. Last season, he was pretty durable for the Cowboys, appearing in all 16 games. He made ten starts, and ran for over 1,000 yards.
Still, his health is always a question, so the Cowboys drafted their new franchise running back in Elliott. The youngster from Ohio State has looked solid in limited action during the preseason, and should be one of the better backs in the NFC as a rookie. He is the total package at the position, and will take a lot of pressure off rookie quarterback Dak Prescott.
Despite the injury to Romo, the Cowboys are expected to be a favorite in the NFC East. They have a solid defense and running game, and if Prescott can manage the game, they should be okay. Romo is expected to miss 6-10 weeks with a broken back.
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The Cowboys open up their 2016 regular season at home against the rival New York Giants.