The Dallas Cowboys are adding depth to their backfield.
The team announced Thursday the signing of running back Ronnie Hillman.
Hillman bounced around the NFL last season, playing in eight games with the Vikings and Chargers after being cut by the Broncos at the end of training camp. The 25-year-old spent his first four seasons in Denver primarily as a backup before starting 10 games in 2015. For his career, Hillman has 1,976 yards on 494 carries and 74 receptions for 524 yards. He earned a high-water mark of 863 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2015.
NFL Network's Jane Slater reported that the Hillman signing has nothing to do with any potential NFL discipline for Cowboys star tailback Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas is bringing in Hillman as a depth signing with veterans getting periodic days off and playing sparingly in the preseason. Rookie Jahad Thomas is also two weeks away from playing because of a hamstring injury, per Slater.
Hillman's best shot at swiping a roster spot behind Elliott, Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris is to show out as a potential receiving weapon out of the backfield after Dallas lost shifty back Lance Dunbar in free agency.
