Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys Agree to 1-Year Contract

Darren McFadden will be looking for a bounce-back season in 2017 with the Dallas Cowboys after agreeing to a deal with the NFC East champions. 

Ian Greengross, McFadden's agent, congratulated the 29-year-old on re-signing with the Cowboys. Albert Breer of The MMQB reported the deal is for one-year and $980k, which is the veteran minimum.

McFadden was a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys in 2015, running for 1,089 yards on a career-high 239 carries. 

Pro Football Focus noted McFadden finished that season tied for second among all running backs with at least 100 carries in average yards before contact (2.3). 

The arrival of Ezekiel Elliott in 2016 was going to reduce McFadden's role in Dallas' offense, though it was a moot point because an elbow injury suffered before the season started kept him out of action until November 6. 

Injuries have long defined McFadden's NFL career. He has only played a full 16-game schedule twice in nine seasons and has missed at least six games three times since 2011.

The Cowboys have the luxury of betting on McFadden's upside because they know Elliott can shoulder a heavy workload. He's a low-cost investment for the team with the potential to be a very good backup and is a strong receiver with 254 career receptions.