The Cowboys will waive RB Darren McFadden, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's still unclear why McFadden was ever on Dallas' roster. Even with RB Ezekiel Elliott suspended, McFadden appeared in just 1 game and carried only 1 time. The Cowboys will continue to roll with RBs Alfred Morris and Rod Smith for the final 3 weeks of Elliott's suspension.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden is a healthy scratch for tonight’s game against the Eagles. He can be safely dropped from fantasy rosters. Alfred Morris figures to serve as Dallas’ primary ball-carrier, with Rod Smith playing on passing downs.

Cowboys HC Jason Garrett confirmed on Wednesday that RBs Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden and Rod Smith will all be in the mix during RB Ezekiel Elliott's 6-game suspension. "We're not gonna over-analyze it," Garrett said. "We're gonna give each guy a chance to play." This sounds like a potential hot-hand situation. The only thing we can be relatively sure of here is that McFadden figures to handle most of the pass-catching duties. He has 254 career receptions vs. 51 for Morris and 4 for Smith. That makes McFadden the safest fantasy option this week, but the entire backfield comes with lots of risk.

When a federal circuit court last week lifted the injunction blocking Ezekiel Elliott's 6-game suspension, the immediate question for fantasy owners became: Which Dallas backup do I want? "I think the feeling inside the organization is that Darren McFadden is the guy they're going to lean on," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday. McFadden, of course, has been a healthy scratch for every game so far this season. Morris has been active but logged just 8 total carries. The whole situation will bear watching.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden is inactive for tonight's game against the Giants. He wasn't listed on the injury report, so it looks like he's a healthy scratch. Alfred Morris will serve as Ezekiel Elliott's backup tonight. He's not a fantasy option, of course. But it's now unclear who the Elliott handcuff is.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden took all 19 snaps with the 1st-team offense in Saturday night's preseason game. He carried 6 times for 28 yards, but the usage is what's important. McFadden is clearly locked in as Dallas' #2 RB -- and the lead back during Ezekiel Elliott's suspension. The Cowboys face a tough rushing schedule over their first 6 games, but volume and supporting cast will make McFadden a solid fantasy starter.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended 6 games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. He's expected to appeal the decision. We'll see how long a ruling on that takes, but we need to assume Elliott will miss the first 6 games of the season at this point. That obviously puts a massive dent in his fantasy value. We'll see what happens to his ADP, though. Zeke might still be worth a look if he starts dropping into the 3rd or even late 2nd round. RB Darren McFadden is the odds-on favorite to operate as Dallas' lead back while Elliott sits, although RB Alfred Morris could make a push over the next few weeks. We'll have a full breakdown of the fantasy impact of Elliott's suspension later today. For now, check out our updated projections for the Cowboys backfield.

ESPN's Adam Schefter stepped up his language Friday on potential league discipline for Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott. After reporting on a "growing sense" that Elliott will face some discipline over domestic violence allegations against him, Schefter added, "I think Elliott is bracing for a short suspension." The situation remains unresolved to this point, with the NFL's investigation reportedly not even yet completed. So we'll see what actually happens. A game or 2 lost for Elliott wouldn't significantly alter his value. A 1-2 week replacement won't be hard to find, and Elliott would still offer a much higher ceiling the rest of the way than any other RB ranked behind him. Any suspension, of course, would add appeal to Darren McFadden as a handcuff.

The Cowboys have re-signed RB Darren McFadden to a 1-year deal. A fractured elbow limited him to just 3 games last year, but it looks like he'll get another shot at Dallas' backup job. The Cowboys are reportedly looking to trade RB Alfred Morris. While McFadden is no threat to Ezekiel Elliott's workhorse role and won't be a standalone fantasy option, he'll be 1 of the highest-upside handcuffs in 2017 fantasy drafts.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott isn't expected to play more than 1-2 series in Sunday's finale against the Eagles, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. It's a smart move for a team with nothing to gain. Elliott only figures to see a handful of carries, making him a weak fantasy play. It's unclear exactly how the backfield touches will be divvied between Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar after Elliott exits.

Cowboys RB Darren McFadden will get "most of the reps" in Sunday's finale against the Eagles. Dallas has nothing to gain in that one and no reason to risk injury to RB Ezekiel Elliott. We're not expecting anything more than 10 touches for Zeke, making him a low-end fantasy option. McFadden could get 15+ totes in what figures to be a run-heavy game for the 'Boys.

Darren McFadden will be the Cowboys' #2 RB against the Bucs tonight, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. RB Alfred Morris might be inactive, with RB Lance Dunbar remaining in a pass-catching role. McFadden has been out since fracturing his elbow in June, but Morris has mustered just 3.8 yards per carry. McFadden is no threat to Ezekiel Elliott's workhorse role, but he's the handcuff to own now.

The Cowboys have activated RB Darren McFadden. He's been out since fracturing his elbow in June. We'll see where he fits into a backfield dominated by Ezekiel Elliott that also includes Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar. We wouldn't bother with McFadden on the waiver wire this week.

The Cowboys have placed RB Darren McFadden on the non-football injury list because of the fractured elbow that kept him out through training camp and the preseason. That means McFadden will miss at least the 1st 6 games of the regular season. It also makes Alfred Morris the clear handcuff to RB Ezekiel Elliott if your fantasy football draft is still to come (or if Morris is sitting on your waiver wire).

The Cowboys have received trade inquiries for RB Darren McFadden but "really want to keep him," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Dallas would probably deal McFadden if they're blown away by an offer. But the takeaway here is that he remains part of the team's 2016 plans. Alfred Morris has looked good this preseason and figures to open the season as the Cowboys' #2 RB. But McFadden -- once recovered from his broken elbow -- should also have a role. It's why we're not in love with Morris or McFadden as an Ezekiel Elliott handcuff.