IRVING, Texas – This weekend is supposed to be about the evaluation of rookies and first-year players and how they might fit into the roster.
However, the Cowboys always keep their eyes open for available veterans as well. That was evident Saturday when the club worked out running back Ryan Williams, a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2011. While the club made no official announcement Saturday, Williams sent out a tweet stating he signed and will be a member of the Cowboys.
In the past three seasons, injuries have more than plagued Williams, the 38th overall pick out of Virginia Tech. Williams has just 58 career rushing attempts for 165 yards in just five games.
He missed his entire rookie season in 2011 when he tore his patella tendon in a preseason game. He then missed most of 2012 with a shoulder injury and didn't play in any of Arizona's games last season. The Cardinals cut Williams last Monday after three disappointing seasons.
"I've just had bad luck," Williams said. "Things happen. I believe everything happens for a reason. I'm here to prove that I can be a running back that can come back from these injuries. It's tough when you're constantly reminded about it. When you're constantly doubted about it. I believe in my own abilities. When I'm healthy, there's no one who can tell what I can't do." [embedded_ad]
In between practices Saturday afternoon at Valley Ranch, Williams had a workout with running backs coach Gary Brown, witnessed by more than a dozen scouts and coaches, along with head coach Jason Garrett and director of player personnel Stephen Jones.
"It was an impressive workout, he did a nice job," Garrett said Saturday afternoon. "We thought a lot of him coming out of school. He's had some injuries in Arizona and hasn't played as much as I think they probably thought he would, but he's certainly an impressive guy. What we saw on tape when he was playing was some pretty good stuff, even though they numbers didn't back that up. You saw that kind of movement today in the workout."
When signed, the Cowboys will have to trim a player from the 90-man roster and it could very well be a running back. Behind DeMarco Murray, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar, the Cowboys added undrafted rookies Ben Malena (Texas A&M) and Glasco Martin (Baylor) as rookie free agents. The Cowboys also had two running backs – Josh Harris from Wake Forest and Jyruss Edwards of Louisiana-Monroe – in camp for a tryout. Those players do not count on the current roster.
