As one offensive playmaker nears a return to the Dallas Cowboys, another is taken out of the equation.
MRIs revealed Monday that running back Lance Dunbar suffered a torn ACL and MCL and will miss the remainder of the season, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of his results.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett told reporters on Monday that the team anticipated the MRI results.
Dunbar suffered in the injury returning a second-half kickoff during Sunday night's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints. The fourth-year running back appeared to be in the midst of a breakout season prior to the injury. He had 21 catches for 215 yards in Dallas' first three games and was on pace for the most receptions ever by a running back.
Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden was asked what Dunbar has meant to the Cowboys' offense this season.
"So much," said Weeden, per ESPN.com. "He does a lot out of the backfield for us. Obviously we saw that last week. And he ran the ball with a couple of big runs. He's electric."
With Dunbar out of the picture, we can expect Christine Michael (acquired in a trade from the Seahawks last month) to see a bigger role. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden will continue to see the bulk of snaps for the 2-2 Cowboys.
