Felix Jones was conspicuous by his absence in the season opener.
Jones, a first-round draft pick in 2008, lost his starting job last season to DeMarco Murray last season before Murray was lost for the season. Now, Jones has lost playing time.
Jones had no carries and was targeted on only two Tony Romo passes, both of which were incomplete. He played only 12 offensive plays. (He also had three kickoff returns for a 20.3 average.)
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Jones' lack of playing time was partly by design and partly dictated by how the game was going. Garrett, though, said Jones will have a role in the offense this season.
"Felix is a guy who is going to come in and play halfback for us both in the run game and in the pass game," Garrett said. "He’s been coming off of an injury. He had the shoulder injury through a lot of training camp. He played more toward the end of the preseason. But DeMarco Murray is our starter at tailback, and there’s definitely a role for Felix, and we like what he does for our offense both in the run game and in the pass game. Depending on how the game goes, he’s going to get more touches or fewer touches, but he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do."
Jones is in the final year of his contract, in what is looking more and more like his final year in Dallas, and counts $1.88 million against the cap. He has averaged 9.5 carries and 2.1 receptions in the 48 games he has played for the Cowboys.
-- Charean Williams
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