Ryan Williams is excited for the opportunity to run behind the Cowboys' offensive line

By foxsports
Published

For Dallas Cowboys running back Ryan Williams, the NFL journey hasn't always been an easy one. After rupturing his patella tendon in his right knee during his rookie season, Williams has struggled to showcase the unique lateral agility that led the Arizona Cardinals to take him with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Williams has remained confident through it all, and from everything that owner Jerry Jones and VP Stephen Jones have said throughout the off season, the Cowboys remain confident in Williams' potential as well.

Williams acknowledges his troubling injury history, but he doesn't want it to group him into a category.

“I’ve been good for three years now,” Williams said. “I’ve had some major injuries, for sure, and statistically having those injuries it’s kind of like ‘x this guy out.’ But I’ve always been one to never put myself in that box of those statistics. I always thought of myself that I can overcome anything I’ve ever wanted to overcome. That patella tendon was that thing for me. It changed my life. But I’m still here, and I honestly feel like I’m better than I was before. I believe in my product, and we’ll see what happens with that.”

Williams certainly has a legitimate opportunity in front of him. After allowing DeMarco Murray to walk in free agency and neglecting running back during the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cowboys' backfield is wide open. There is no set starter, and the feeling around Valley Ranch is that every back on the roster will have the opportunity to prove himself.

“It is pretty open," Williams said. "Our bellcow ringer left. He cashed out in Philly; really cashed out in Philly. So we’ll see how it plays out. We have a very talented backfield -- a very, very talented backfield. I don’t know if it’ll be like the best man wins. I don’t know if it’ll be like everybody is sharing. I don’t know how the situation will go. I’m not really worried about it. The only thing I’m worried about is going out there and showing these coaches and everybody what I’m capable of doing and showing them what they brought me to do.

“I think everybody will have a great chance to show what they can do, and it’ll go from there,” Williams said. “Really, that’s it. I never had a chance to run behind that O-line last year, so hopefully I get an opportunity this year. I think that’ll help my chance of showing everybody what I’m really capable of doing.”

The Cowboys' running back battle will be the most heated position battle throughout training camp. Williams is competing with former first-round pick Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports