Cowboys' Mike McCarthy On RB Evaluation: 'It's TBD!'

The Dallas Cowboys running back room has been one of the most fascinating storylines to watch in Oxnard, and as we sit here today, with the second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders coming into view, we still have no idea how the depth chart will shake out.

With Ezekiel Elliott RB1 and Rico Dowdle RB1-A, behind them, it is unknown. Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner, and Nathaniel Peat are all vying for a roster spot.

After the 13-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, that saw Davis (8 att for 18 yards) "lead" the running back room, head coach Mike McCarthy wants to see more.

And he was rather blunt when asked about his current evaluation of the running back room.

“It's tbd [to be determined],” McCarthy said. “We got some work to do, we need to create opportunities for all those guys and I think having Royce [Freeman] and Deuce [Vaughn] back in practice now we get to really see that group moving forward starting Saturday in Vegas. But yeah we need to get those guys opportunities. I thought Malik Davis was clearly having his best camp had some opportunities in L.A. but yeah that will definitely be a focus I mean we want to see our young guys as far as the play time, all those guys will play in Vegas and hopefully we can get them some carries.”

With Trey Lance throwing 41 times against the Rams and Dallas only having 17 rushing attempts (excluding Lance's six), there appears to be more of an emphasis on getting the running backs involved against the Raiders.

Time is running out for those to make an impression on the coaching staff, and the game against the Raiders could close the door on a roster opportunity or keep it open for another week.

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The top two are set with Zeke and Rico, but serious competition is going on behind them, and we may have answers regarding who will make up the depth chart for the regular season.

Who will take their chance in Las Vegas? In truth, they all need to.