Felix Jones: Demarco Murray's Injury Makes Cowboys' RB Smart Fantasy Play

Felix Jones is a solid selection as a starter in Week 7. Calvin Watkins of ESPN reports that the Dallas Cowboys' normal starter, Demarco Murray won't play, and that thrusts Jones in as the primary back.

Jones is genuinely used as a change of pace back, but he has game-breaking speed. He'll see more carries because of Murray's injury, and this could push him near his career-high in attempts. Jones has only had 20 or more rushing attempts twice in his career.

The last time he did was December 17, 2011 vs. the Indianapolis Colts. Murray was out for the season and Jones made the most of that opportunity. He went for 108 yards in that game on 22 carries, but he didn't find the end zone. Something tells me he'll be good for at least one score in this game.

The Cowboys' opponents shouldn't serve as a major impediment for the ground game. The Carolina Panthers are ranked 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. Sometimes, these statistics can be deceiving if a team was blown away in one particular game, but that isn't the case for the Panthers.

Their run defense has been bad far more times than it has even been decent.

Through five games they have only held one opponent beneath 100 yards, and that was in their Week 5 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cowboys haven't exactly been juggernauts on the ground, but they are coming off a game that saw them gash the Baltimore Ravens' run defense for 227 yards. The game also featured crucial errors by Tony Romo and Dez Bryant in the passing game.

I expect to see the Cowboys run the ball a ton in this game, and Jones will be one of the beneficiaries. He's worth a start, even if it's just at a flex position.

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