ARLINGTON, Texas — While this preseason was a lot different than what he experienced as a rookie last year, running back Deuce Vaughn once again made sure his name was called in the team's exhibition schedule, as he finished Saturday's defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers with more rushing yards (53) than any running back on either team.
His performance comes one week after he made multiple defenders miss on a play against the Las Vegas Raiders that made its rounds on social media following a return from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the first half of training camp.
"It's been my first time battling adversity as far as a soft tissue injury," Vaughn said in retrospect about his preseason performance. "It was a way for myself to battle back from that. It was hard, it was tough. I was able to pick myself back up, get healthy, be patient and come out here and play my brand of football."
The running back room also looks a lot different than it did a year ago when he was trying to find a role behind Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle. This time around, the argument could be made that the Cowboys are seeking out his role in order to find a playmaking force out of the backfield.
"For myself, I'm just coming in and proving myself all over again," he said. "Trying to get one-percent better every day throughout camp. Just come out here and play my brand of football and put good things on tape every single day."
"I've always been a guy that whatever is asked of me from a program or organization, I'm gonna go and do. I'm gonna put my head down and go attack it with hard work. Whatever I have to do to give my team an opportunity to win, I'm gonna go and do."
While his injury at the beginning of camp set him back, Vaughn has made a big late push to prove to the organization that he is worthy of one of the 53 spots on the roster after Tuesday's cut deadline.
"I feel like I've done everything I can do as far as the hard work and the preparation. Doing everything I can to put my best foot forward. It's in God's hands. These next few days, I'll be with my family and be thankful."
