Dallas Cowboys unsung hero unlikely to return in 2018
Despite the Dallas Cowboys losing their best player to a suspension last season, this veteran stepped up and filled the void admirably. Yet, he’s unlikely to return in 2018.
The Dallas Cowboys were unable to return to the postseason in 2017. That, after posting a 13-3 record the year before, earning themselves a first week bye in the playoffs and a bid in the divisional round.
The Cowboys inability to post back-to-back postseason berths is blamed mostly on the six-game suspension served by starting running back Ezekiel Elliott at a very crucial point, smack dab in the middle of the regular season. But the fact is, veteran backup Alfred Morris did an admirable job filling in as Dallas’ top running back.
During Zeke’s six-game absence, the Cowboys went 3-3. And that’s due in large part to Morris. The 29-year old rushed for 430 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.34 yards per carry during that six-game span. Although it wasn’t quite the same, most agree that the Cowboys rushing game was not to blame for those three losses.
"“While Morris didn’t quite offer the same dynamic ability of Ezekiel Elliott, he did more than enough to ease the absence of the NFL’s 2016 leading rusher,” wrote Matt Harmon on the league’s official website. “Morris gained an average of 4.24 rushing yards after defenders closed within 1 yard of him this season. He ranked seventh out of 47 backs with at least 100 carries in this measure of running back elusiveness. The Cowboys went 3-3 during Elliott’s suspension, but Morris largely kept the run game afloat.”"
Along with Morris, third-year running back Rod Smith also emerged as a viable backup. Smith even got the starting nod in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Elliott’s absence. And his play is likely the reason Morris doesn’t return to Dallas in 2018.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Morris is currently a free agent. And although he has expressed his desire to remain in Dallas in the past, it seems very unlikely he’ll re-sign this offseason. With Elliott and Smith already on the depth chart, plus whomever the Cowboys sign via free agency or find in the draft, Morris would be facing a severe lack of playing time if he stayed in Dallas.
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The truth is, Alfred Morris deserves more snaps than the Dallas Cowboys can give him. And if his performance last season proved anything, it’s that he still has plenty left in the tank to help a franchise. NFL teams struggling to get production from their backfield should absolutely consider signing this consummate professional.