OXNARD, Calif. -- For the first time since training camp began, Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden was able to practice. Well, sort of.
McFadden was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday but he took part only in individual drills. He did not do 7-on-7 or team work.
"They're easing me back into it but for me I feel like I want to just jump in with a full head of steam," McFadden said. "But they're doing the right thing but just getting me all the way ready before they put me out there."
McFadden suffered a hamstring strain before training camp started and has been working on his rehab.
"It just feels great being out there period, man," McFadden said. "Just being able to get out there running around, just letting my teammates know I'm coming back to work hard with them."
Joseph Randle took the first-team snaps for the first time since suffering an oblique strain on Aug. 10, while McFadden and Lance Dunbar, who was in pads for the first time since Aug. 4 because of an ankle sprain, worked off to the side during team drills. Tyler Clutts took the second-team snaps at tailback with the Cowboys mixing in Lache Seastrunk and newcomers Ben Malena and Michael Hill.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones is fine with the patient approach with McFadden.
"I thought today was a good start and we'll work him in here the rest of the week," Jones said. "We'll be very guarded as to how we bring him along. The good news is is he's in great shape and they've really spent a lot of time working on that aspect of him being ready to go. Although they felt he was in good shape relative to any of his soft-tissue issues. But we'll be real careful with it. We've got a big investment in time in terms of him getting in football-playing shape, so they'll move that along good."
