IRVING, Texas -- When Trey Williams got the call Tuesday that he was about to join the Dallas Cowboys, he was at the mall buying a suit with his then Washington Redskins teammate Jamison Crowder.
By the end of the conversation, he and Crowder were ex-teammates, but he still needed to get home, pack a suitcase and be on a plane in less than three hours.
"The next thing you know I'm over here crying in the store and stuff," the Cowboys' newest running back said. "But it was tears of joy and I'm just thankful and I thank the man upstairs every day."
Williams almost got caught in traffic and missed the flight, but he was able to get to the plane on time and took part in his first practice Wednesday. He admitted to being a little winded in part because Washington was off last week due to the bye.
Williams took the roster spot created when the Cowboys released Joseph Randle, their second-leading starter. He had been on Washington's practice squad after rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in the preseason.
At 5-7, 195 pounds, he is similar to Lance Dunbar, who is out for the year with a knee injury. He could bring return game help as he starts to learn the offense.
Coach Jason Garrett said the Cowboys liked Williams coming out of Texas A&M, where he ran for 1,343 yards and 18 touchdowns in three years.
"He's a smaller back but he's almost small in stature more than he is a small guy," Garrett said. "He's more of a short guy. He's got some thickness to him but a guy that I think has a good feel for playing the game. He has good quickness and explosiveness and he's made some plays in a short period of time. You watch his tape from the preseason, we feel good about him. We liked him coming out of school and we just want to give him an opportunity."
Garrett said the decision to add Williams was more about the player than Williams' familiarity with the Cowboys running game since Washington has a similar one under former Cowboys assistant Bill Callahan.
"Terminology is definitely different, but for the most part it's kind of the same stuff," Williams said.
He grew up outside Houston, but he was a Cowboys fan.
"This is a dream come true," Williams said. "I grew up watching America's Team. So, I'm here and I'm going to take advantage of it and prove to people why I'm here."
