Cowboys Will 'Kick Tires' On RBs Ben Tate, Felix Jones
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IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) - The Dallas Cowboys are giving running back Ben Tate a Thursday afternoon workout, sources tell me, noting that this is a "kick-the-tires" tryout.
Sources say the workout will also include other veteran running backs, including former Cowboys RB Felix Jones.
Tate is a 5-11, 220-pounder who's bounced around the league for four seasons after being drafted in the second round out of Auburn by the Texans in 2010.
At Auburn, Tate gained 3,321 yards in his career and 1,362 yards as a senior. He missed his rookie season in Houston with an injury but went on to gain 1,992 yards (4.7 per carry) as Arian Foster's backup the next three years.
Tate signed a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Browns to start 2014. He was an early-season starter before being outplayed by Browns rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. Tate was released, claimed by Minnesota, released again and claimed by Pittsburgh, and now, about to turn 27, is trying to reinvent himself with a Dallas tryout first reported by Josina Anderson.
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Jones played five seasons in Dallas from 2008 to 2012, after the Cowboys selected him with the 22nd overall pick in 2008. He appeared in 64 games for Dallas, rushing 569 times for 2,728 yards.
Jones played the 2013 season with Pittsburgh, where he carried the ball 48 times. He did not play in 2014, but participated in the 2015 NFL Veteran Combine.
The former Razorback has also had success as a returner in the NFL, an area Dallas could be seeking help in.
Dallas is presently counting on Joesph Randle as its starter, with Darren McFadden, Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar also competing.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones recently told 105.3 The Fan that he's always in "the talent-evaluation business," a hint that Dallas will continue to search for help at running back and elsewhere.
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