Cowboys RB Michael gets reps with first-team offense

IRVING, Texas _ Joseph Randle rushed for a career-high 87 yards and scored a career-best three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ loss to Atlanta.tmpplchld His reward: Christine Michael, who hasn’t been active for a game this season, has gotten some work with the first team in practice this week.tmpplchld “It feels good,” said Michael, who was acquired from Seattle in early September. “First-team reps always feel good. Just looking to go in there and help contribute as much as possible.”tmpplchld Randle ran for 85 yards on his first three carries Sunday afternoon. But he picked up only two yards on his next 11 carries, losing yards on three of his four carries in the second half.tmpplchld It’s premature to say Michael will be active for Sunday night’s game against New Orleans. But his elevation this week suggests the club is considering an alteration of its current committee structure at running back, with Randle getting most of the carries followed by Darren McFadden.tmpplchld Lance Dunbar’s role as the primary receiving threat out of the backfield is clearly safe.tmpplchld The Cowboys traded for Michael because they consider him to be a physical, north/south runner, something of a DeMarco Murray light.tmpplchld “I think he might be a guy that can be utilized when you’re going against some of those big boy, hard boxes,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said.tmpplchld Michael said he doesn’t know if he’ll be part of the rotation this weekend. He said the priority is to bounce back from the loss to the Falcons.tmpplchld “You’ve got guys like Lance Dunbar,” Michael said. “He’s real active in the passing game. You’ve got guys like Joe Randle, who’s good at catching the ball, running it between the tackles. He’s pretty much good at everything. Guys like Darren McFadden, who’s the big brother out of the group.tmpplchld “This is a good group of running backs. We’re all young. It’s just fun to be a part of it, man.”tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 The Dallas Morning Newstmpplchld Visit The Dallas Morning News at www.dallasnews.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld