NEWS » s to end sometime during the first half of

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas rookie Ezekiel Elliott appears set for his preseason debut at Seattle after the running back taken fourth overall by the Cowboys missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury.Lance Dunbar was cleared medically this week following major knee surgery last year, and free agent Alfred Morris is shaping up as a solid insurance policy.The Dallas running game looks deep behind one of the NFLs best offensive lines, and thats without a mention of last years leading rusher, Darren McFadden. Hes been out nearly three months after breaking an elbow in a household accident.Once McFadden comes back, who knows how many carries there will be for him coming off his second career 1,000-yard season.I think a lot of people made a big deal about, we have so many running backs, coach Jason Garrett said. You can never have that many running backs. Weve found that out in the past.Like last year, when the Cowboys were fortunate to land a productive McFadden after letting 2014 NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray go to NFC East rival Philadelphia in free agency. And Dallas didnt just hand the ball to the fourth overall pick from 2008, instead letting Murrays backup, Joseph Randle, have the lead job for six games.When Randle injured his back and McFadden grabbed the lead role, Dallas had a carousel of backups after releasing Randle. The Cowboys were lucky McFadden made it through relatively healthy for one of the few times in his career.Thats where Morris comes in. A two-time Pro Bowl pick in Washington, hes the likely No. 2 behind Elliott for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 at home against the New York Giants.The Cowboys, who drafted another running in the sixth round in Eastern Michigans Darius Jackson, essentially declared Elliott the starter by being ultra conservative with his hamstring in camp.I dont know my role, said Morris, who had 2,888 yards his first two seasons compared to 1,825 the past two. Whatever it is, whether its two plays, 100 plays, it really doesnt matter. I have to make the most of each one. And thats what Im doing.Elliott was the second-leading rusher in Ohio State history and scored four touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the championship game at the home of the Cowboys following the 2014 season. He was drafted higher than Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.Therefore, Morris doesnt see it as much of an issue that Elliott missed the better part of three weeks.I said in interviews, like, way a while ago, hes way ahead of where I was as a rookie, Morris said. I think hell have a good showing out there versus the Seahawks. Im sure looking forward to seeing him get out there. He hasnt had his preseason debut yet, so it should be a fun one for him.Garrett isnt ready to say Elliott will play on Thursday night, but did say the 21-year-old made it through practice Monday with no issues. Elliott wasnt available in the locker room when it was open to reporters.Its important for all players to practice and get their work in. Thats what we would like for everybody on our team regardless if theyre a first-year player or have played for 15 years, Garrett said. Hes done a really good job with his rehab getting himself back, staying engaged with the team.Dunbars been doing that since last October, when he tore two ligaments and the patellar tendon in his left knee while returning a kickoff at New Orleans. The loss of his versatility was an underrated reason the offense struggled while also missing quarterback Tony Romo (twice-broken collarbone) and receiver Dez Bryant (broken foot).While hes a ways from being cleared to play in a game, Dunbar is doing individual work at practice.We had to be very deliberate in saying, lets keep him out, Garrett said. Now we feel like its the right time to bring him back. Were excited to have him back. Hes an awfully good football player.Game notesDT Tyrone Crawford is being evaluated for a concussion after hitting his head during practice Sunday. It was the first indoor practice for the Cowboys at their new facility. ... DE Charles Tapper (back), DE Shaneil Jenkins (hamstring) and CB Orlando Scandrick (rest) didnt practice Monday.---Online:AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuylerKhalil Mack Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Martellus Bennett Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-reggie-phillips-jersey-large-1776t.html . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Tarik Cohen Jersey . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Ted Larsen Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday.KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The pregame coin toss each week has provided insight into the injury problems that have hampered Tennessee all season.Tennessee typically likes to send captains Joshua Dobbs, Alvin Kamara, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Cam Sutton to midfield for the coin toss. But injuries sometimes left Dobbs as the only healthy captain whos in full uniform for each game.That finally changed Saturday when Sutton returned from a fractured ankle that had sidelined him for six games and Kamara came back from a knee injury that caused him to miss two games. Both could play major roles down the stretch as Tennessee chases its first Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title since 2007.When youre able to have those two individuals back on the field, in terms of productivity, it was big for us, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said.Both players had big performances Saturday in a 49-36 victory over Kentucky.Kamara rushed for 128 yards on just 12 carries, including touchdown runs of 17 and 29 yards. He did all that while wearing a brace on the left knee that had bothered him enough to cause him to miss games against South Carolina and Tennessee Tech .Sutton broke up two passes and increased his career total of passes defended to 36. That broke the school record of 35 formerly held by Jabari Greer, who played at Tennessee from 2000-03.Its just a tribute to those individuals, Jones said after the game. First of all, these individuals could have easily sat out and said `Im done and started getting ready for the NFL, but instead, they wanted to be a part of this football team and help us win. To me, that speaks volumes about their character and what this football program means to them.Kamara said he always planned on returning this season as long as he was physically able.Weve got unfinished business. ... The seasons not over, Kamara said. I made it my goal, if I can come back, I was going to come back. Here I am.Suttons return was critical for a team that has played much of the season without either of its defensive captains. Reeves-Maybin, a senior lineebacker, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last month after appearing in only four games.ddddddddddddHis return also came a little ahead of schedule. Jones said after the Kentucky game that the staff had tentatively set this weeks Missouri game as a potential target date for Sutton.Im not surprised with anything Cam Sutton does, to be honest with you, defensive backs coach Willie Martinez said. Hes so consistent day in and day out.Suttons presence will be particularly important Saturday against Missouris pass-oriented offense. Missouri (3-7, 1-5) averages 295.7 yards passing per game to rank second in the SEC. Jones says he considers Missouris Drew Lock a future NFL quarterback and adds that the Tigers have probably as talented a group of wide receivers that weve faced the entire year.Depending on how the LSU-Florida game turns out earlier Saturday, the Missouri-Tennessee game could be critical to the Vols SEC East hopes.To reach the SEC championship game, Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 SEC) must win its final two regular-season games and No. 21 Florida (7-2, 5-2) must lose at LSU (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday. The Florida-LSU game figures to end sometime during the first half of the Tennessee-Missouri matchup, and Jones wants to make sure his team isnt caught scoreboard watching.We dont ever look up at the scoreboard, Jones said. Thats kind of our mindset. You just keep your head down and keep playing. We have to worry about the things we can control.Game notesJones said safety Todd Kelly Jr. and center/guard Drew Wiesman are both day to day after getting hurt during the Kentucky game. Jones said Wiesman is a little ahead of Kelly. Jones also said offensive tackle Chance Hall is expected to practice Monday but that the sophomores status for the Missouri game remains day to day.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargee ' ' '