The Cowboys are looking for some speed on special teams and possibly on offense. The team is hoping rookie Lance Dunbar can help in both areas.
The Cowboys signed Dunbar (5-8, 191) from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Monday. Taking his place on the practice squad will be wide receiver Raymond Radway, who has been with the Cowboys the last two training camps and spent all of 2011 on injured reserve with a broken leg. Radway, who was released back in August before the final preseason game, worked out for the Cowboys on Friday at Valley Ranch.
As for Dunbar, he has been close to the 53-man roster two other times before. The Cowboys initially cut 21 players back in late August with the final cuts looming. It appeared he was going to stick around but the Cowboys waived him the next day and put him on the practice squad.
A few days later, they took Dunbar on the trip to New York, a good indication he would be signed to the active roster and play against the Giants. The Cowboys changed their mind and he has remained on the practice squad ever since.
Dunbar, a rookie free agent from North Texas, showed some flashes in the offseason OTAs and minicamp, but a hamstring injury early in training camp slowed his development. He did come back in the final two preseason games and had an impressive showing in the finale against Miami when he rushed for 105 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown.
Dunbar joins three other tailbacks on the 53-man roster in starter DeMarco Murray and backups Felix Jones and Phillip Tanner.
The Cowboys are averaging 67.8 rushing yards per game, good for 30th in the NFL heading into last weekend's games.
