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Backups Ron Leary and Chaz Green lead Cowboys' ground game
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Now, you understand why the Dallas Cowboys didn’t trade Ron Leary in the offseason, and why they drafted Chaz Green in the third round last year.
Each played an important role Sunday in the Cowboys’ 31-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
Leary, a starter last year until La’el Collins replaced him, was disappointed the Cowboys didn’t trade or release him during the offseason since he couldn’t win the starting job with the Cowboys. Well, he entered the game in the third quarter when Collins suffered a sprained big toe, and he played well.
The Cowboys rushed for 199 yards and a 4.7 average per carry. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a career-high 140 yards on 30 carries.
Thy did it with Green starting for perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, who missed the game with back spasms. The spasms occurred Friday and Smith thought he could get his back loose enough to play Sunday. But that didn't happen.
“I didn’t know I was playing until I got the stadium,” Green said. “I thought there was a chance after what happened Friday with Tyron, and I prepare to play every week. I thought there was a chance, but I didn’t know.”
Green, a third-round pick, last year didn’t play after his surgery slowed him in the offseason. He struggled when he finally received a chance in the preseason, but he did a solid job Sunday. The Cowboys regularly gave him help, and he did commit two penalties but Dak Prescott was still standing after the game, so his performance was a successful one.
“I have to improve and get better,” Green said, “but I thought I did OK.”
Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Now, you understand why the Dallas Cowboys didn’t trade Ron Leary in the offseason, and why they drafted Chaz Green in the third round last year.
Each played an important role Sunday in the Cowboys’ 31-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
Leary, a starter last year until La’el Collins replaced him, was disappointed the Cowboys didn’t trade or release him during the offseason since he couldn’t win the starting job with the Cowboys. Well, he entered the game in the third quarter when Collins suffered a sprained big toe, and he played well.
The Cowboys rushed for 199 yards and a 4.7 average per carry. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a career-high 140 yards on 30 carries.
Thy did it with Green starting for perennial Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, who missed the game with back spasms. The spasms occurred Friday and Smith thought he could get his back loose enough to play Sunday. But that didn't happen.
“I didn’t know I was playing until I got the stadium,” Green said. “I thought there was a chance after what happened Friday with Tyron, and I prepare to play every week. I thought there was a chance, but I didn’t know.”
Green, a third-round pick, last year didn’t play after his surgery slowed him in the offseason. He struggled when he finally received a chance in the preseason, but he did a solid job Sunday. The Cowboys regularly gave him help, and he did commit two penalties but Dak Prescott was still standing after the game, so his performance was a successful one.
“I have to improve and get better,” Green said, “but I thought I did OK.”