Cowboys coach Jason Garrett suggested Monday the club has no fears that running back DeMarco Murray's heavy workload the last six weeks will slow him down the stretch.
The rookie third-round draft pick has averaged 24 combined touches (rushing attempts and receptions) since he became the club's lead runner. In the last four games, his touch total has been 26, 26, 31 and 26.
Given all that work, are the Cowboys considering managing Murray's workload over the final five games in an attempt to keep him fresh for a possible postseason run?
“We really don't look at it that way,” Garrett told reporters in Irving. “We want to make sure we use him in what we feel is the appropriate manner each week. I can't sit here and say before a game he's going to get it 20 times, he's going to get it seven times, he's going to catch it three times. You can't do that.
“... Certainly, we don't want to overuse him, particularly because of the other backs we have. So, we'll monitor that game by game and, hopefully, everybody will be fresh and ready to go down the stretch.”
Garrett also indicated Felix Jones, who didn't have any carries in Thursday's 20-19 win over Miami, could have an expanded role at Arizona on Sunday. Jones missed four games with an ankle injury before returning on Thanksgiving Day.
“Felix will continue to get himself acclimated back into the offense and be a big-impact type player for us like he's been in the past,” Garrett said.
Injury report: Cornerback Mike Jenkins returned to practice after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.
Wide receiver Miles Austin, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, remains sidelined. Fullback Tony Fiammetta (illness), safety Gerald Sensabaugh (foot), backup quarterback Jon Kitna (back) and defensive lineman Josh Brent (knee) also did not practice.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...it-Murray-s-touches-2300106.php#ixzz1f6Pqbihy
The rookie third-round draft pick has averaged 24 combined touches (rushing attempts and receptions) since he became the club's lead runner. In the last four games, his touch total has been 26, 26, 31 and 26.
Given all that work, are the Cowboys considering managing Murray's workload over the final five games in an attempt to keep him fresh for a possible postseason run?
“We really don't look at it that way,” Garrett told reporters in Irving. “We want to make sure we use him in what we feel is the appropriate manner each week. I can't sit here and say before a game he's going to get it 20 times, he's going to get it seven times, he's going to catch it three times. You can't do that.
“... Certainly, we don't want to overuse him, particularly because of the other backs we have. So, we'll monitor that game by game and, hopefully, everybody will be fresh and ready to go down the stretch.”
Garrett also indicated Felix Jones, who didn't have any carries in Thursday's 20-19 win over Miami, could have an expanded role at Arizona on Sunday. Jones missed four games with an ankle injury before returning on Thanksgiving Day.
“Felix will continue to get himself acclimated back into the offense and be a big-impact type player for us like he's been in the past,” Garrett said.
Injury report: Cornerback Mike Jenkins returned to practice after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.
Wide receiver Miles Austin, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, remains sidelined. Fullback Tony Fiammetta (illness), safety Gerald Sensabaugh (foot), backup quarterback Jon Kitna (back) and defensive lineman Josh Brent (knee) also did not practice.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...it-Murray-s-touches-2300106.php#ixzz1f6Pqbihy