GRAPEVINE, Texas – Like the rest of the team, Ryan Williams isn't sure exactly how the Cowboys' running back rotation will shake out this offseason.
He's just looking for an opportunity to take some of the carries DeMarco Murray left behind when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I think everybody will have a great chance to show what they can do, and it'll go from there," Williams said Wednesday at the team's Annual Sponsor Appreciation Golf Classic. "I never had a chance to run behind that O-Line last year, so hopefully I get an opportunity this year and I think that'll help my chances showing everybody what I'm really capable of doing."
Williams signed a two-year contract in January after spending the entire 2014 season on the Cowboys' practice squad. He led the team in rushing during the preseason (112 yards) but hasn't had a regular-season carry since Week 5 of 2012 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
Williams suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that year, just after recovering from the devastating torn patellar tendon he suffered in 2011 as the Cardinals' second-round pick.
"(The knee injury) changed my life," Williams said, "but I'm still here, and I honestly feel like I'm better than I was before."
Williams' competition for carries is well-documented. With Murray gone, the Cowboys signed Darren McFadden to a two-year contract and return Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar from last year's active roster.
All will welcome the chance to play behind an offensive line that sent three starters to the Pro Bowl last year and added three rookies, including undrafted free agent La'el Collins last week.
"Things are looking great, and as a running back, you love it," Williams said. "I love it. We love it. We can all run behind them."
The front office has stated it will keep lookout for more running back help, citing that the Patriots' go-to back in the Super Bowl, LeGarrette Blount, was signed as a free agent in November.
Right now, four are in the mix.
"It'll be a very competitive situation – no one's handing anybody anything," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "We've got three really good running backs returning, plus Darren. We'll see how that goes."
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