Mike McCarthy previews Royce Freeman's role for Cowboys: 'He does everything well'

Dallas Cowboys get down to business preparing for the upcoming 2024-25 season in their training camp being held in Oxnard, CA; their head coach, Mike McCarthy, shared his thoughts on how some of the offseason acquisitions have fared thus far.

 McCarthy took a moment to discuss what he likes about running back Royce Freeman and preview his role in the Cowboys’ offense this season.

“He does everything well,” McCarthy said. “Clearly I knew him as a runner, but when you see running backs when the bullets are really flying and pass protection part of it—  the declaration, the adjustments; all of that. I think it’s been excellent. He’s got very good hands, has a very high understanding of the game and also he has a chance to be one of our primary players on special teams. He’s a good fit for us.”

The Cowboys brought in Freeman just before the 2024 NFL Draft on a one-year deal. The former Oregon Ducks star, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and most recently, the Los Angeles Rams.

Freeman has spent the majority of his NFL career as a backup and third-down running back. Still, he has nine starts to his name while playing in a total of 79 games. Over his career, he has amassed 471 carries for 1792 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He can also be used as a weapon out of the backfield, as he has 86 receptions for 532 yards and one receiving touchdown to his name.

Cowboys sign defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad

The Cowboys added more depth to their defensive line, According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

On Thursday, Schefter took to social media to announce that the Cowboys’ll sign former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad as their training camp gets underway in Oxnard, CA.

Cowboys are signing free-agent defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year deal,” said Schefter via X.

Muhammad has been a bit of a journeyman in the NFL after the New Orleans Saints selected him in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After spending one year in New Orleans, the former Miami Hurricanes standout made his first stop in Indianapolis, playing for the Colts for four seasons from 2018 to 2021. Muhammad would spend 2022 in the Windy City as a member of the Chicago Bears before returning to Indianapolis.