In 2016 and 2017, Alfred Morris and Ezekiel Elliott made a productive tandem for the Dallas Cowboys. Late Monday night, the Cowboys decided a reunion was in order, signing Morris to a one-year deal.
At least, they hope it’s a reunion. Elliott is on a beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico right now sipping a drink out of a hollowed-out coconut.
Reunion: Free agent RB Alfred Morris has agreed to terms with the #Cowboys, per his agents the Katz Bros. He averaged almost 5 yards per carry for them two years ago.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2019
Morris was set to work out for the New Orleans Saints on Monday, but Dallas jumped ahead in the queue after it was clear Elliott might not be with the team anytime soon and had left the country.
In 2016, the former Pro Bowl running back played in 14 games for the Cowboys, rushing 69 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns. The next season, with Elliott suspended for the first six games of the season, Morris got five starts in 14 appearances, rushing for 547 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Last season, with the San Francisco 49ers, Morris had one start, 12 game appearances and 111 carries for 428 yards, two touchdowns and an average of 3.9 yards per carry.
First, Jason Witten. Now Alfred Morris.@tonyromo next https://t.co/YvkRj86Hmv
— Master (@MasterTes) July 30, 2019
A former sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic in 2012, Morris’ best years were with the Washington Redskins. He had a monster rookie season, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns. He eclipsed 1,000 yards his first three seasons, but his production dipped in 2015 and the Redskins let him walk as a free agent.
Morris is likely with the team for good this season, regardless of when Elliott returns. He joins a running back room with two rookies, fourth-rounder Tony Pollard out of Memphis and seventh round pick Mike Weber from Ohio State. Darius Jackson, a sixth-round pick in 2016 and Jordan Chunn, an undrafted free agent signing in 2018, round out the RB depth chart.
"Cowboys are bringing back Alfred Morris to send a message to Zeke"
Zeke: pic.twitter.com/ZCly975Ird
— LeBronGotNext (@GotBron) July 30, 2019
Last season Dallas kept five running backs on the roster, not counting fullbacks. Of this group, only Darius Jackson had any carries with the team, toting it six times for 16 yards in two game appearances.
