McFadden (elbow) may not have a role in the Dallas offense when he is ready to return, ESPN.com reports.
McFadden can't return any earlier than Week 8. Even if he's ready at that point, there's no clear role for him in the Dallas offense. Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris have both been effective, and Lance Dunbar (knee) has done solid work on passing downs. Dunbar's injury could linger, which might open up some passing-down work for McFadden. However, the 29-year-old said he may never regain full extension of his injured arm, raising questions about his ability to contribute as a receiver. Furthermore, Elliott is a perfectly capable pass catcher in his own right and was likely drafted with the expectation that he'll be a big part of the passing game at some point in his career. If McFadden doesn't have a role in the offense, it would be tough to justify keeping him on the roster, as he's unlikely to contribute on special teams. The Cowboys might therefore consider a trade, but it's hard to imagine they'd get much, if anything, in exchange for an aging running back coming off a major injury. There are very few fantasy leagues in which it makes sense to own McFadden.