3 most shocking decisions Cowboys made with 53-man roster

1. Cowboys keep 4 RBs, including Hunter Luepke

Who saw this coming? Lupeke hardly saw a sniff of action in the preseason before Saturday's finale. That typically spells bad news for players on the roster bubble, but Luepke clearly did enough to make the team as the Cowboys' fourth RB/FB alongisde Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, and rookie Deuce Vaughn.

With Lupeke making the 53, second-year pro Malik Davis, who rushed for 4.2 yards as the third-stringer last season and impressed throughout the offseason, was cut. It always seemed like Dowdle would win the RB2 battle over Davis, but nobody expected Luepke to sneak his way onto the roster.

Now, fans are left to question Luepke's role in Mike McCarthy's offense and where he fits in the backfield with Pollard, Dowdle and Vaughn. Dowdle profiles as Pollard's primary backup, but McCarthy has long admired having a fullback/h-back to deploy around the goal line.

Not only that, but Luepke dominated as a blocker in preseason and showed his versatility as a receiver by catching five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. Much like Vaughn, Luepke profiles as a "weapon" -- one the Cowboys clearly didn't want to expose to the waiver wire.

Given Luepke's limited role in the first two preseason games and expanded role in the finale, which are typically reserved for practice squad players and players on the chopping block, his inclusion on the 53-man roster is nothing short of a surprise, albeit a pleasant one.

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