Cowboys' RB performances appear significantly improved following the severe injury to a former free agent target.

 The Dallas Cowboys had a day full of surprises on Tuesday. They traded tight end Peyton Hendershot, met with free agent pass rusher Tyus Bowser, and made the unexpected decision to keep offensive tackle Matt Waletzko and defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat.

What was less surprising, however, was the running backs who made the 53-man roster. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle were expected to be locks, but Deuce Vaughn secured a spot after an impressive preseason. Hunter Luepke also made the team as a running back, though he will primarily play fullback and contribute on special teams.

The Cowboys' meeting with veteran Dalvin Cook indicates they are still looking to strengthen their backfield. While other released running backs may offer more than Cook, the front office has been cautious in addressing the position this offseason.

Despite passing on several free-agent targets, one decision has proven wise: not signing former Packers second-round pick AJ Dillon. In a surprising twist, the Packers placed Dillon (neck) on injured reserve, meaning he will miss the entire 2024 season due to a stinger he suffered during the preseason.

This marks Dillon's second stinger in as many years, which caused him to miss the end of the 2023 regular season and the Packers' playoff games. His future in football remains uncertain, but the Cowboys dodged a bullet by not signing the 26-year-old back in March. They were reportedly interested in Dillon alongside the Giants and Colts.

While Cowboys fans were skeptical about adding Dillon, his 247-pound frame and powerful running style could have been beneficial, especially given Dallas' struggles in short-yardage situations last year. The thought of pairing Dillon with a speedy prospect in the 2024 draft had potential.

Dillon ultimately re-signed with Green Bay on a one-year deal, while the Cowboys retained Dowdle and brought back Elliott. Surprisingly, they opted not to draft a running back. Recently, only Dalvin Cook and Miles Sanders have been linked to the Cowboys.

Currently, the Cowboys have one of the weakest backfields in the NFL. However, the criticism they would have faced if Dillon were their only significant move—only to see him lost for the season before September—would have been intense. Whether justified or not, the backlash would have been substantial.

While it's not to say that Jerry Jones and the front office deserve praise for avoiding Dillon, perhaps his neck injury played a role in their decision. Here’s hoping Dillon can recover and return to the field in 2025.