Lance

Dunbar

Dunbar gets the promotion so he can chip in on special teams against the Giants Wednesday night. He’ll be the fourth running back after falling behind Phillip Tanner during training camp.

Per ESPN Dallas, the Cowboys had a “change of heart” Wednesday afternoon. Dunbar should remain the first man up if the Cowboys have a need in the backfield or return game.

Dunbar was beaten out for Dallas’ No. 3 job by Phillip Tanner, but piled up an impressive 106 yards on 18 preseason carries. He should be first in line for a roster spot if any of DeMarco Murray, Felix Jones or Tanner goes down. Olawale rushed 32 times for 124 yards this summer, adding four catches for 30 yards.

He was held without a catch on two targets. Dunbar rotated carries with Felix Jones throughout, but showed little as a runner, rarely emerging from the first wave of defense with extra yards. 18 of his yards came on one carry. With DeMarco Murray eyeing a Week 10 return, think long and hard before making Dunbar your waiver-wire priority this week. It almost certainly won’t be worth it.

Dunbar didn’t get anything going as the pace-changer behind Felix Jones. He’s destined for third-string back duties with DeMarco Murray’s foot believed to be healing fast enough for a Thanksgiving Day return. Should Murray come back, Dunbar could be dropped quickly in 12- and 14-team fantasy football leagues.

Dunbar is a good bet to take over kickoff returns from Jones, but he’s not going to have more than a carry or three on offense. Garrett wants Jones and Tanner to stay in the flow of the game as the top two backs without worrying about a three-man rotation.

Garrett apparently didn’t want to overwork Tanner on offense, preferring instead to go with Lance Dunbar as the change-of-pace back. ESPN Dallas believes Dunbar is “shiftier and quicker” than fill-in starter Felix Jones, though the veteran is expected to draw the start again in Week 10.

Jones aggravated his knee issue against the Browns last week, missed practice Tuesday and could be headed for a game-time call. Dunbar has been dealing with some knee woes of his own, but he appears to be slightly ahead of Phillip Tanner. They split the first-team reps in practice Tuesday, hinting at a timeshare. It’s a situation to avoid if Felix sits.

Dunbar’s “minor procedure” Monday must have been nothing more than having his knee drained. If Felix Jones (knee) can’t go on Thanksgiving, Dunbar figures to split the workload with Tanner. Neither back would be more than a flex option versus the Redskins.

The Cowboys played one-dimensional offense on Thanksgiving, due to its inability to generate any early-game rushing threat and a 28-3 first-half deficit. When DeMarco Murray (foot) returns, Dunbar will resume third-string duties behind Murray and Felix Jones.