The Cowboys spent the offseason professing their confidence in running backs Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar and backing up their words by resisting additions to the group in the draft and throughout training camp.
That changed on Sunday when they made a trade with the Seahawks to acquire Christine Michael, although they say that his arrival isn’t a reflection of a change in their opinion of the trio that was already on the team.
“We’re very content with the three backs that we have as we head into the Giants game,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said, via the team’s website. “I think they’re all healthy and hitting on all cylinders, so I’m looking forward to seeing how those guys do.”
Michael is a “long shot” to play against the Giants and coach Jason Garrett said that the immediate task will be for the back to familiarize himself with the team’s offense. Once he does, Garrett said that he’ll get a chance to show he’s worthy of a role on Sundays.
“There’s opportunity every day in practice,” Garrett said. “We’re going to evaluate guys in practice, and if they show that they’re worthy of being part of our roster on Sundays, we’ll give them a chance to do that. If they’re worthy of getting some opportunities to carry the football, we’ll give them a chance to do that, as well.”
The Cowboys aren’t going to give any of their backs the kind of work they gave to DeMarco Murray last year, but that might not make their offense any less productive as long as they mix and match the right way over the course of the season.