The Dallas Cowboys have a newfound confidence heading into their Thanksgiving matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The return of Tony Romo has sparked a needed win for the team while the value of their playmakers begins to rise. One of the biggest gains for the Cowboys in recent weeks is the rise of Darren McFadden who has finally given some stability to the run game.
The Cowboys have made their way through several running backs this season. Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and Christine Michael all saw time as the workhorse for the Cowboys and none of them are currently active for the team anymore. McFadden has been the shining star as he continues to put forth his best season in the NFL and putting to rest the need for a committee of backs in Dallas.
"When you get an opportunity like this at this point in your career, you embrace it fully, and that's what he's doing," head coach Jason Garrett said, via USA Today Sports. "There's never been a question of his toughness. If anybody evaluated this guy coming out of school, you know how tough a guy this guy is. Just an unbelievably physical runner coming out of school. His time in Oakland, he was banged up a little bit. But we felt good about what he was all about."
McFadden has been the workhorse Dallas desperately needed after the departure of DeMarco Murray. The running back has provided stability while Robert Turbin is thriving as the backup following just one game. The Cowboys want to give Turbin more time on the field after he made a quick impact with the team following just one game where he put up 35 yards on seven carries including a nice 17-yard run. Garrett noted that Turbin will get more carries the more practices he gets under his belt.
"He's been impressive right from the start. You can tell he's a pro," Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "He's a physical football player. He did a good job running the ball downhill and was pretty good in protection, too."
The run game is certainly making Romo's return much easier as the quarterback has sprung the offense back to life. Romo stressed to the media that even though he and the team are playing on a short week, he feels healthy and has shaken off any idea of rust following the collarbone injury. With q quick turnaround, injury concerns are always an issue, but Romo along with Dez Bryant feel healthy and ready to go. Garrett noted that the receiver has been tough this season despite his setbacks as he looks to make a big impact against the undefeated Panthers.
"I think he's getting better and better," Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "He's doing a great job of working through a few different things, working through practice, getting himself ready to play in games. He's a really mentally tough guy."
