IRVING, Texas – Robert Turbin needed lunch, and probably a little sleep, too.
The veteran running back said he landed in Dallas around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, bright and early in time for his first practice with the Cowboys later that morning.
"Coach (Jason) Garrett called me last night and said, 'You're going to hit the ground running. Are you going to be prepared for that?'" Turbin told the media Wednesday afternoon. "I said yeah. And here we are."
The last 24 hours have been hectic for Turbin. He said he had just completed a free agent workout with the Giants and was at the airport getting set to fly to Pittsburgh for another one when his agent called. The Cowboys were interested in signing him.
Turbin grabbed his luggage, headed back to his hotel and hopped on an early flight to Dallas.
With Christine Michael no longer on the roster, Turbin gives the Cowboys an experienced back behind starter Darren McFadden, joining rookie backups Rod Smith and Trey Williams. The four-year veteran has appeared in 50 career games with the Seahawks and Browns, rushing 249 times for 988 yards.
"We liked him coming out (of college) and we had an opportunity to get him," Garrett said. "We feel like he can help our football team."
Dallas is Turbin's third stop since early September. A backup to Marshawn Lynch for three years, the Seahawks waived Turbin with an injury settlement after he suffered a high ankle sprain in the third preseason game. The Browns claimed him, and he spent five weeks recovering from the injury. In three games with Cleveland this season he had 18 carries for 60 yards.
Now he's getting up to speed on the Cowboys' system.
"Systems vary and terminology varies – I think a lot of times that's the hardest part when learning a new offensive scheme. I'm going to learn as quick as I can," Turbin said. "I'll be taking extra time, more time than these guys because I have a lot more to learn, and hopefully I'll know enough to be able to play this week."
