The Dallas Cowboys’ backfield-by-committee approach may have gotten dinged up a bit during Monday’s training camp practice.
Veteran running back Royce Freeman was knocked from practice due to a groin injury, according to multiple reporters.
Cowboys RB Royce Freeman left practice with a groin
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 5, 2024
While the Cowboys were largely spectators during free agency, Freeman agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, and was expected to be a change-of-pace option alongside Ezekiel Elliott in a backfield that also includes Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn.
Freeman, 28, arrives in Dallas on the heels of rushing for 319 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Los Angeles Rams.
Through his first seven seasons, Freeman has rushed for 1,792 yards and 10 touchdowns.
It remains to be seen how severe Freeman’s injury is and whether he could miss significant time, but the Cowboys are in a bit of a precarious position at running back.
Dallas Cowboys’ Best Trade Target to Upgrade at Running Back
The Cowboys are taking a bit of a gamble that Elliott is still capable of shouldering the majority of the offense’s workload.
Likewise, if Freeman is forced to miss significant time, with Vaughn already sidelined, Dallas could look to trade for a veteran back to add some explosiveness — and durability to the backfield.
Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert could be an ideal scheme fit.
Herbert’s quickness and explosiveness would significantly bolster the Cowboys’ backfield, serving as an ideal complement to Elliott’s power. Though Herbert’s pass-blocking might be subpar, he could excel in a rotational role, where his ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield would be highlighted.
The Bears may not be shopping Herbert, but, after signing D’Andre Swift in free agency may prefer to add an asset in exchange for the 26-year-old who rushed for 611 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season.
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1 Comment
Dating back to last season, I can’t express how frustrated I am with the Cowboys front office. They gave Michael Gallup an extension, and even if he wasn’t coming off a torn ACL, extending him just didn’t make sense to me. It was CeeDee or bust when it came to our passing game last season, and in the Green Bay playoff game it was clearly a bust. Once the Packers shut down CeeDee it was over, why? Because we didn’t have a bell cow at RB. If we had traded for Derrick Henry, there’s no way we wouldn’t have at least made it to the NFC Championship game. Fast forward to the present, and we’re still trying to serve finger food instead of an entree at the RB position. Zeke Elliott is no longer an every down back, and Royce Freeman? C’mon man, knock it off already. SMH