Todd Archer, ESPN Employees Author
SAN FRANCISCO — In the end, operating again Dalvin Prepare dinner will make his Dallas Cowboys debut Sunday towards the 49ers.
Signed to the apply squad every week earlier than the season began, Prepare dinner has waited patiently because the Cowboys’ operating recreation has sputtered. The Cowboys are averaging 77.2 dashing yards per recreation, lowest within the NFL, and have gone a franchise-record 20 video games with out a 100-yard rusher.
On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy mentioned Prepare dinner was prepared for the chance.
Previously few weeks, Prepare dinner has seen his snaps with the primary crew enhance. A four-time 1,000-yard rusher with the Minnesota Vikings, his profession has stalled just lately after gaining 214 yards in 15 video games with the New York Jets final yr. He appeared in a playoff recreation for the Baltimore Ravens and had 23 yards.
The elevation from the apply squad brings questions as to how the Cowboys will fill out their operating again place on recreation day.
Rico Dowdle leads the Cowboys with 246 yards and Ezekiel Elliott is second with 115 yards, however can the Cowboys costume three operating backs who don’t play particular groups?
They’ve dressed three operating backs in 4 video games, however Deuce Vaughn has been inactive the previous two video games. Fullback Hunter Luepke has been a staple of the offense and particular groups.
Elliott has been a wholesome scratch in his profession solely when he was rested in regular-season finales with the playoffs upcoming.
The Cowboys additionally positioned tight finish John Stephens Jr. on injured reserve Saturday after he tore the ACL in his left knee in Wednesday’s apply. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye was signed from the apply squad. He was out of elevations after enjoying prior to now three video games.
