The Cowboys backfield is about to become even more confusing than it was in the preseason. Joseph Randle rushed for three touchdowns last week, Darren McFadden vulture one, and Lance Dunbar is arguably the team’s best receiver with Dez Bryant out. So obviously, it’s time for Christine Michael to become a factor.

Randle’s ability to score three times must not have impressed the Cowboys’ coaches apparently, because the Star-Telegram is reporting that Michael is being groomed as a goal-line weapon.

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“He is more a short squatty, power-type back with good feet and good explosion. You would like to have a guy with that type of build to take on that eighth man to make him miss or run over him,” running backs coach Gary Brown said of Michael.

“If you are a good running team, you are going to get eight in the box. You got to be able to have that back to make that guy miss. It will be a nice little mix for us.”

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If Michael is added to the roster, someone has to go, and it’s unlikely to be one of the running backs already on the roster. Dallas is taking the concept of a running back committee to its absolute limit. The Star-Telegram speculated rookie Lucky Whitehead might be the unlucky soul banished from the 53-man roster to make room.

Dunbar, who barely takes handoffs despite playing running back, would seem likeliest of the running back group, but he plays too large a role in the passing game to be sent packing. Dunbar has 10 catches for 100 yards last week, and has been targeted 23 times in three games. He is not going anywhere.

For now, Randle and Dunbar are still the Cowboys RBs to own. McFadden has value as a handcuff, or in 14-team leagues or deeper. Michael was hyped in Seattle and never delivered, so for now, take this news with a grain of salt.

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