The Dallas Cowboys were encouraged by setting up a running back timeshare between DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar before he suffered a season-ending injury against the Oakland Raiders.

"DeMarco Murray is our lead back, has been our lead back all year long, has done an excellent job for us, did a really good job in the game the other day again," Jason Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "He'll be the lead dog. The other guys, Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner will have to step up if they have an opportunity if DeMarco can't go."

Murray has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and the Cowboys are trying to protect against that.

"We'd like to get the other backs in, give them a role, give a chance to give DeMarco rest, play a series, whatever that is," Garrett said. "We'll come up with what those substitution patterns are as the week goes on. We certainly feel confident in putting those other guys in the game though."