Cowboys have to fight on if Murray can't go
December, 15, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- There is a strong likelihood Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray will not play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts because of what a source called a broken fourth metacarpal in his left hand that will require surgery later Monday.
Murray suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 38-27 win against the Philadelphia Eagles but said after the game he was, "good."
He might be good if he misses just one game. Emmitt Smith missed one game in 1999 after having a similar surgery. Terrell Owens did not miss a game following hand surgery, but only because the Cowboys had their bye week in 2006.
Murray has been the engine that has made the Cowboys' offense go this season, leading the NFL with 1,687 yards rushing on 351 carries. He has 11 touchdowns. To many, he has inserted himself into the league's most valuable player conversation and has had the best contract year he possibly could have had.
But now the Cowboys have to show they are about more than just Murray if he can't play against the Colts.
Step on up, Joseph Randle. He is mostly known for his arrest at a Frisco, Texas, mall in which he allegedly stole some underwear and a tester bottle of cologne. While he earned an endorsement deal from MeUndies for his off-field arrest, he did himself no favors by making disparaging remarks about the legal entanglements of teammates Dez Bryant and Josh Brent that were recorded from the jailhouse.
Step on up, Lance Dunbar, who has mostly been a third-down back and has not had more than 11 carries in a game this season and 15 carries since the second week of the season.
Step on up, offensive line. The Cowboys' line has been called the NFL's best for most of the season, but they could be without starting right tackle Doug Free, who did not play in the second half against the Eagles because of an ankle injury. Right guard Zack Martin injured his ankle against the Eagles but stayed in the game, although he was limping noticeably afterward.
Jason Garrett, like every NFL coach, has preached a next-man-up philosophy. The NFL won't cancel Sunday's game because of Murray's injury. The Cowboys will need to fight on without him and there are some at Valley Ranch who believe Randle is a more than capable replacement.
He had a 40-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His one carry two weeks ago against the Chicago Bears went for 17 yards.
Murray's quest for 2,000 yards and possibly Smith's franchise record for yards in a season (1,773 in 1995) might have taken a hit, but the Cowboys have to make sure their season does not take a hit if he can't play.
For all of the good the Cowboys have done with their 10-4 record, they are hardly guaranteed a playoff spot.
Without Murray, the road might be more difficult to win their final two games, but it's not impossible.