IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys worked out four running backs Tuesday, but it's the lone fullback who joined the group in the workouts that's signing with the team.
The Cowboys brought in the running backs to see if they could provide depth at the position after Lance Dunbar went on injured reserve Tuesday following season-ending knee surgery, but they went with 6-foot-2, 254-pound fullback Tyler Clutts instead.
"The biggest thing we want to do is add the guy that can help our team the most, that's why we brought all those guys in," said head coach Jason Garrett.
Clutts started his football career in the Canadian Football League after going undrafted from Fresno State in 2008. He bounced from there to the Arena Football League and the United Football League before finding a spot with the Browns in 2011.
He spent time with the Browns, Bears, Texans and Dolphins the last three years before getting released by Miami in October. Clutts played in four games with one start for the Dolphins this year and played in all 16 games for Houston last year and Chicago in 2011, totaling eight catches for 48 yards in his career.
Clutts is be the first true fullback the Cowboys have signed this year. They've been utilizing linebacker Kyle Bosworth in that role in short-yardage situations.
"The way we play offensive football around here the last few years is we use a lot of different personnel," Garrett said. "The 12 personnel has been a big part of what we've done, as has 11. We've used three tight ends, we used traditional 21, a true full back and halfback with a tight end and a receiver, so that stuff we've done before." [embedded_ad]
The move comes as a contrast to the 12-personnel system the Cowboys were so keen on in the offseason, but Garrett said Clutts' addition doesn't necessarily mark a shift in what they're trying to do. Garrett wants to use a multitude of looks, including two tight ends in certain situations.
"We've used some more than others, but we've never been an exclusive this team or that team," Garrett said. "We've always felt like using personnel is an asset to us and something that helps us. If we do have a true fullback, then they will be part of the mix."
