Cowboys Excited About Return Of Dez Bryant To Practice Field
By Shawn S. Lealos
In 2014, the Dallas Cowboys came into their road game with the Seattle Seahawks that most thought they would lose yet they walked out with a win. They followed that up with an incredible season that saw them in the playoffs for the first time in four years. This year, Seattle comes to Dallas and the Cowboys once again are not expected to win, with many experts thinking the Seahawks will blow out the Cowboys. However, Dez Bryant is about to return and this could set up Dallas for another season-changing game. Here is a look at the Cowboys team headlines for week eight of the 2015 NFL season.
Dez Bryant Returns to Practice Field
There was a chance that Dez Bryant could have returned for the New York Giants game last week, but it depended on his practice and how he felt he could move on his surgically repaired ankle. He didn't practice and was inactive for the game, which Dallas lost by a touchdown. Heading into the game this weekend with the Seattle Seahawks, Bryant has finally returned to the practice field and the chances of him returning are improving. Bryant was still limited in what he could accomplish, but it is very important that Bryant returns to the active roster as soon as possible. "I think everybody's excited to have him out there," said quarterback Matt Cassel. "Hopefully we can get some timing down over this next few days as we move into this weekend."
Darren McFadden Wins Starting Running Back Job
When the Dallas Cowboys let DeMarco Murray walk away in the offseason, they knew they needed to find someone who could step up and deliver what they were losing when Murray left. The Cowboys signed former Oakland Raiders first-round draft pick Darren McFadden, but it was holdover Joseph Randle that they put the most stock in. Through the first part of the 2015 NFL season, Randle was less than extraordinary. McFadden was used as a backup and didn't fare much better. Fans wanted Christine Michael to get a chance, but when Randle injured his oblique last week, it was McFadden who got the chance to shine and he ran for 152 yards against the New York Giants. He is now the starter in Dallas. "We use our eyes to evaluate them," coach Jason Garrett said. "When someone really grabs hold and says, 'Hey, I want to be the guy,' we're going to give him more chances."
Greg Hardy Would Like to Stay with Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys only big offseason move was signing defensive end Greg Hardy. They knew he would miss games thanks to a suspension following a domestic abuse case, but they also knew that he was a difference maker on defense. Since returning to the field, Hardy has accumulated three sacks, eight tackles, and a forced fumble. The Cowboys have also notched seven sacks in those two games and Hardy's intensity and leadership is the reason for that marked improvement. ESPN reported that Hardy is interested in signing on with Dallas long-term now. Jerry Jones also seems interested and said "he's, relatively speaking, a young player, and he certainly has the kinds of skills and impact that we want to look to the future with the Cowboys."
Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.