Updated: August 23, 2011, 6:22 PM
Running Room
RB Spot Now Healthy; But Questions Remain
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas – It's been 26 days since the start of training camp, with two preseason games being played in between.
But not since Tuesday afternoon have the Cowboys finally had their entire running back corps on the field. That was made possible with the return of both DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice, who had been injured since the start of camp.
For Murray, it was not really a return considering it was his first NFL practice. The third-round pick from Oklahoma, who is expected to have a big role in the offense, finally passed his physical after missing nearly a month with a strained hamstring.
Choice has been out since the first practice of camp, nursing a strained calf.
But together, the two instantly upgraded the running back position, although Murray wasn't exactly turned loose in the afternoon practice.
"He's still learning," said running backs coach Skip Peete. "It's a lot different when you see it on the film and then when you break the huddle and get out there. It's going to take him a little bit of time."
And that's something of which Murray doesn't have a lot, especially with the third preseason game coming up on Saturday. However, head coach Jason Garrett said Murray would be used on kickoff returns in a way to get him involved even while he's learning the offense.
Murray said just returning to action is good enough for him.
"It's been a long time since I practiced," said the third-round pick from Oklahoma. "And the speed of the game is different. It's just an adjustment period for me. But I'd rather do it in practice. It's hard to get that (speed) down when you're not out there."
For Choice, it's a different challenge.
"He knows the system and we know what he brings to the table," Peete said. "He's just getting back healthy again. And he brings some energy out there. You can hear him talking a lot and trying to get his teammates pumped up."
While Choice and Murray add some depth to the position, it doesn't change much at the top. Felix Jones will be the starting running back and he's embraced the role, having two solid preseason games so far.
However, on the day two players returned to practice, Jones was banged up some, hurting his hand early in the practice, which kept him out of some individual drills. Jones did return for team drills later in the workout.
From top to bottom, there seems to be a domino-effect at the running back spot. Even at the end, youngsters Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner are making a push.
Miller had a solid camp but hasn't performed so well in the preseason games. Yet, he's considered a special teams player and the Cowboys can't have too many of those.
As for Tanner, a rookie free agent from Middle Tennessee State, he keeps showing up on film, including a touchdown run without a helmet that was called back because of a penalty.
The only thing that seems settled right now is Jones as the starter. After that, there are big questions to answer.
Does DeMarco Murray have enough time to become the No. 2 tailback?
If so, does that make Tashard Choice expendable?
Has Lonyae Miller and/or Phillip Tanner done enough to earn a spot?
Can the Cowboys justify keeping four backs on the 53-man roster?
There are lots of questions and time is running out for answers. But that process can't begin without the players returning from injury. And at least that occurrence took place on Tuesday.
