The Dallas Cowboys are getting Greg Hardy back for Week 5 against the New England Patriots after his suspension ended and the team expects him to play most of the snaps on Sunday on defense. The team has Terrance Williams and Christine Michael looking to step up with Dez Bryant and Lance Dunbar out with injuries and those players are fantasy start options along with Joseph Randle.
Hardy is coming back after serving a four game suspension and he made some headlines with quotes he made to ESPN Dallas about his return. According to ESPN.com, Hardy mentioned how he wants to come back "guns blazing" and he also made some comments about Tom Brady and his wife. Hardy is coming back to the NFL after previously being accused of sexual assault that involved allegations of throwing a woman onto a pile of guns, making his comments a bit tone deaf.
Jerry Jones defended Hardy and said the "guns blazing" comment was more about Hardy bringing some excitement to the field. Either way, the Cowboys defense will receive a boost from having Hardy back, as he has been a consistent pass rusher through his career when he is healthy and not suspended. The Cowboys signed Hardy in the offseason and he could start on Sunday after serving his four game suspension, which previously was 10-games but got knocked down on appeal.
Hardy comes in after playing in just one game last season with the Panthers before being moved to the exempt list and now he is with the Cowboys. Hardy has been one of the best pass rushers in the league over the past few years and in 2012-2013 he put up double digit sacks each season with 26 total over that span. The Cowboys were one of the worst teams at getting to the quarterback last season and now with Hardy back, it helps after rookie Randy Gregory was sidelined with an injury.
Dez Bryant is still coming back from an injury and that has put Terrance Williams in position as the top receiver for the Cowboys. Williams had his best game in Week 2 against the Eagles and he is looking got bounce back this week against the Patriots after putting up just three catches over the last two weeks. Williams has two touchdowns in the last three games and this season he has 12 catches for 193 yards overall.
Lance Dunbar is out for the season for the Cowboys and that could give Christine Michael a chance to step up and he is a solid fantasy option to take a flier on. Michael was acquired in a trade with the Seahawks and he could be a depth option behind Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden for the Cowboys moving forward this season. Dunbar had been a nice surprise for the Cowboys, making 21 catches out of the backfield and the team will need someone to step up into that role. Randle remains the starter and McFadden is a solid backup, but the Cowboys are going to give Michael a chance to get things going.
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