Cowboys Reportedly Will Sign Ronnie Hillman After Cutting Lucky Whitehead

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday the Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign veteran running back Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman will occupy wide receiver Lucky Whitehead's roster spot; he was waived by the Cowboys and subsequently claimed by the New York Jets on Wednesday.

Dallas cut ties with Whitehead after he was believed to be charged with shoplifting in Virginia, but it was a case of mistaken identity. The man who was arrested provided police with false information, per a statement from the Prince William County Police Department.

The 25-year-old Hillman appeared in eight games last season split between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers. He rushed for 131 yards on 41 carries and reeled in seven receptions for 93 yards.

Hillman spent the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos after they selected him in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft out of San Diego State.

His best season came in 2015 when he started 11 games. He rushed for 863 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season before Denver went on to win the Super Bowl.

While Hillman is a smallish back at 5'9", he is a change-of-pace speedster with some ability in the passing game. Making Dallas' roster could be difficult, however, with Ezekiel Elliott, Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris all ahead of him on the depth chart.