Tashard

Choice

Choice played for the Cowboys for four seasons early in his career before joining the collegiate coaching ranks as a running backs coach. The Cowboys have now interviewed him for the same position, which would be his first look at coaching at the NFL level.

Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray are both expected to see time behind Jones, perhaps in a “hot hand” situation. “Murray got here as a good blocker,” said Jones. “Now, he doesn’t have the experience that Choice has got. But I like our combination. Felix is a better blocker than he’s ever been in his career. ... Choice is used to not getting snaps and living to tell about it, handles it well.”

The fact that Jones was able to finish out yesterday’s game -- albeit on a limited basis -- obviously bodes extremely well. The concern, however, is that the Cowboys will take it easy on Jones next week and use a committee that includes plenty of Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray. Jones’ injury history combined with his extremely slow start are yellow flags for the coaching staff.

Choice was the first back off the bench when Felix Jones went down with an arm injury, but did little to cement his role as the primary backup. While he looked good in the passing game, it was a different story on the ground. He’d be worth picking up if Fragile Felix is scratched for Week 3, so look for an update later on next week.

A shoulder separation certainly sounds bad, but Jones was able to play through it sparingly Sunday. He finished with 10 touches. The Cowboys’ medical staff wrapped up the shoulder and allowed Jones to reenter. When Jones was out, Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray played equally, with each getting seven touches. Were Jones to miss Week 3 against Washington, a committee backfield would ensue. We’ll definitely have more updates by tomorrow.

“Anytime anybody calls you, you certainly give it some thought,” acknowledged Jones, “but with the injury to Felix and where he is with his sprained ankle, that’s doubtful that anything will happen there.” As a 2012 free agent with declining production, Choice wouldn’t have brought back more than a late-round pick.

Jones said that two teams have contacted the Cowboys about Choice, but the offer was likely just a late-round pick. With Felix Jones (ankle) expected to miss 2-4 weeks, the Cowboys can’t afford to move Choice. He projects as the primary backup to DeMarco Murray while Jones is sidelined.

Receiving just his second carry of the afternoon early in the third quarter, Choice was hurt on a play in which he lost a fumble. He went for just eight yards on his two totes, and was being severely outplayed by DeMarco Murray, who galloped for a 91-yard touchdown on Dallas’ opening drive. Choice’s return is likely questionable, but he’s probably received his final touch of the day. Murray is clearly the back to own during Felix Jones’ absence.

Murray took his first carry of the day for a 91-yard touchdown and never looked back, easing by Emmitt Smith’s old team record of 237 yards. His 253 yards are the most for any NFL running back this season, and just two fewer than Felix Jones has been able to rush for all year. Murray’s record-setting day did come against a truly pathetic Rams’ run defense, but it’s hard to see how the Cowboys will be able to go back to Jones as their bell-cow if Murray plays even half this well going forward. With the Eagles’ inept run defense on tap for Week 8, another big game could be in the offing.

Waived by the Cowboys and Redskins before landing with the Bills last season, Choice managed just 152 yards on 51 carries over 13 games (2.98 yards per carry). It’s not a good sign that Choice’s college coach is giving up on him, as well. He’ll represent little more than a depth signing on the open market.