The Cowboys are expected to have Ezekiel Elliott in the lineup for the first time this preseason when they play the Seahawks on Thursday night and they have another running back on the field for practice for the first time this year as well.
Lance Dunbar has been activated from the physically unable to perform list. Dunbar landed on the PUP list after tearing his ACL last season and the Cowboys have started working him into practice.
Dunbar was used primarily as a receiver on offense by the Cowboys last season and caught 21 passes before getting hurt in the fourth week of the season. Elliott’s expected to handle most of the running duties this season, so a similar role could be in store for Dunbar again this season.
How much he plays will likely be affected by the team’s plans for Alfred Morris, who has seen a lot of time while Elliott makes his way back from a hamstring injury, and Darren McFadden, who remains on the non-football injury list after injuring his elbow in the offseason.