Randle might not start, but he’ll begin as main RB for Cowboys

IRVING, Texas The Cowboys have dozens of options for their first play-call Sunday night in the season opener against the Giants. A running back might not even be on the field.

Whether Joseph Randle starts Sunday or not won’t be nearly as significant in determining the Cowboys’ lead option in their running back-by-committee approach for replacing DeMarco Murray. What’s more telling is which running back will receive the most carries.

All indications point to Randle as being the Cowboys’ No. 1 option in their backfield to begin the season.

Cowboys coaches wouldn’t say this week which running back would start against the Giants. But if practice is any indication, it will be Randle.

Randle practiced with the first-team offense all week and received the majority of the work.

Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said Randle has done everything the club has asked and should receive the most carries in the opener.

“Watching him develop through OTAs and mini-camps in the offseason program, he’s developed as a football player,” Brown said, “so we’ve gained confidence in him. He’s grown immensely and we’re looking forward to watching him go.”

Veteran Darren McFadden will get plenty of chances Sunday to show he still has a lot left after seven injury-plagued seasons in Oakland.

McFadden showed great burst in the Cowboys’ third preseason game after he fully recovered from hamstring injuries.

The Cowboys go into the opener planning to give Randle the most work but won’t hesitate in sticking with McFadden if he produces more with his opportunities.

The Cowboys stuck with Murray for 392 carries last season as he set a franchise single-season rushing record with 1,845 yards.

“When somebody is hot, you stay with him. I think that is fair,” Brown said. “The running backs understand that. And I think the team knows that. If a guy is hot, you stay with him. If the committee thing is working well, we’ll stay with that, but we won’t know until the game starts. We’ll see what happens.”

Lance Dunbar will be the Cowboys’ third-string tailback Sunday. Recent addition Christine Michael, who was acquired via a trade with Seattle, isn’t expected to be active as he works to learn the playbook.

Randle was Murray’s primary backup last season. He had only 51 carries but averaged 6.7 yards per attempt.

But anytime Randle was mentioned, club officials often used the word trust. Could they trust him?

Randle was arrested twice in a four-month span since October, prompting police investigations in Texas and Kansas involving shoplifting, marijuana possession and domestic violence.

Randle said Thursday that’s “ancient history.”

“It’s been months since February,” he said. “In my eyes, I feel like I have done everything necessary to earn their trust.”

Randle brought more attention on himself in late May, when answering a question about Murray’s record-breaking 2014 season.

“He had a good year last year, and I got to sit back and watch a lot,” Randle said, “and I felt like there was a lot of meat left on the bone.”

Since then, Randle hasn’t said much. When addressing the media, he’s been as generic as possible.

Two weeks ago, however, Randle piped up when asked if being named the starter matters.

“Yeah, of course,” Randle said quickly. “No doubt.”

Randle might not get the ball first but he should get it more Sunday.

“His performance last year was very good and what he’s done in the offseason makes us feel 100 percent confident,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “He’s prepared for this.”

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