Joseph Randle vs. Christine Michael: Updates on Cowboys RB Battle

The Dallas Cowboys are using their bye week to evaluate several trouble spots on their roster, and reports suggest there is a position battle brewing between Christine Michael and Joseph Randle.

Continue for updates.

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Garrett, Lineman, Cowboys RB Coach Comment on Michael's Increased Role

Thursday, Oct. 22

Offensive coordinator Scott Lineman said that while the team isn't making big changes in the running game, the plan is to give Michael more carries, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. 

“Ever since he’s gotten here we’ve tried to move him up,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said on Oct. 15. “We gave him some short yardage opportunities and we’ve kind of tried to get him acclimated to what we’re doing.”

“He can do more things. I think the thing is that he had to learn and he had to feel comfortable with it,” Cowboys running back coach Gary Brown said, per DallasCowboys.com. “I think he’s where he needs to be, and we want to take the reins off him and let him rock.”

With Randle averaging just 3.9 yards per carry and struggling to make an impact as the heir apparent to DeMarco Murray in Dallas, the Cowboys coaching staff is considering replacing him in the starting lineup with Christine Michael, according to ESPN's Ed Werder on Wednesday.

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RB Battle Heats Up in Dallas

The 23-year-old Randle was highly touted last season, as he averaged nearly seven yards per carry and served as a great complement to Murray. He hasn't proved himself to be a bell-cow back, though, and with Dallas having lost three consecutive games to drop to 2-3, he could become a scapegoat.

Perhaps the biggest issue has been the play of quarterback Brandon Weeden in place of Tony Romo, who is out with a broken collarbone. With Weeden failing to spark the offense, Werder reported that the Cowboys plan to replace him with Matt Cassel in Week 7.

Even if Garrett doesn't go so far as to strip Randle of his starting job, sources have indicated to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Michael is in line for a bigger role:

Dallas acquired Michael in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks just prior to the start of the regular season, and while he was inactive for the first three weeks of the 2015 campaign, he suited up in each of the past two games.

Michael has just two carries for five yards, but he has shown flashes of brilliance since Seattle took him with the No. 62 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. The 24-year-old back averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 52 totes with the Seahawks.

There is also a third running back in the equation, as Darren McFadden played the most snaps of anyone at the position in Week 5. He took over Lance Dunbar's spot as Dallas' primary pass-catching back after Dunbar went down for the season with a torn ACL in Week 4.

McFadden, who made nine receptions in Week 5, was pleased with his performance, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News:

The Cowboys may not have a true stud at the running back position like they did with Murray, but all three of their backs have potential running behind what was heralded as the best offensive line in football last year.

That hasn't manifested itself thus far in 2015 since Romo's injury has allowed the opposition to focus on stopping the run, but if Cassel can establish himself as at least a capable starting quarterback until Romo returns, Garrett's preferred running back will have a much better chance to produce.

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