Former Arkansas RB Darren McFadden ready to fill in for suspended Ezekiel Elliott
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2017 plans were thrown for a major loop recently when the NFL announced star RB Ezekiel Elliott would be suspended for the first six games because of an alleged domestic-violence incident.
Though Elliott plans to appeal the suspension, he’ll still likely miss some time this year, so the Cowboys need to come up with a backup plan.
Fortunately for Dallas, former Arkansas star RB Darren McFadden is the second-string running back and is only two years removed from a season in which he ran for 1,089 yards and three touchdowns.
McFadden told Star-Telegram.com that he’s ready to pick up the slack in Elliott’s absence and that he still feels like a full-time running back:
“My body still feels good,” McFadden said. “I feel great, just getting out there running, just getting carries and getting warmed up. I’m definitely going to be able to handle a load. (2015) was a pretty good year. I don’t feel like I missed a beat. I didn’t play much last year. I feel like I definitely can get back to that status.”
McFadden missed most of the 2016 season with an injury, but he looks ready for a return to action this fall.
In the Cowboys’ first preseason game on Saturday night, McFadden received six carries and ran for 28 yards.