Dunbar gained 27 yards on 11 carries in Sunday's win over the Titans.

Joseph Randle's third quarter concussion opened the door for Dunbar to get some extra touches, but he wasn't able to do much with them. Dunbar has the ability to break off some big gains, but as long as DeMarco Murray is healthy his touches will be limited.

Dunbar didn't get any carries during Sunday's loss to the 49ers, but he caught all three of his targets for 21 yards.

DeMarco Murray was having a good game out of the backfield, which limited Dunbar's touches. The Cowboys seem more committed to their running game this season and may get Dunbar more involved down the road, but it would take an injury to Murray for him to have significant fantasy value.

The Cowboys' decision to hold Dunbar out of last Thursday's preseason opener is a sign the club is expecting big things from him this season, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Dunbar joined Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten on the sidelines Thursday. He's stuck behind Murray on the depth chart, but the Cowboys think he can be a real weapon for them even if he only sees 10-12 touches a game, and his performance last Thanksgiving before blowing out his knee (82 yards on 12 carries) backs up that impression. Note that new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was able to turn both Reggie Bush and Joique Bell into fantasy assets last season with the Lions, so if he stays healthy Dunbar could end up being much more than just Murray's handcuff in 2014.

Dunbar isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers, the Dallas Morning News reports.

The running back is healthy, but given that he had knee surgery just eight months ago the Cowboys are taking it easy on Dunbar to begin the preseason.

The Dallas Morning News' Brandon George said Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar "continues to be impressive."

A versatile back with dynamic ability, Dunbar has an opportunity to earn a decent-sized role in Dallas' offense. Demarco Murray is the unquestioned starter, but new Cowboys OC Scott Linehan oversaw a Lions' offense that had two players average over 13 touches a game in 2013. Dunbar may struggle to reach that mark, but 6-10 touches are well within reach even with Murray healthy. He is well worth a flier in the 14th round.

ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer believes Lance Dunbar's role would only "expand a little" if DeMarco Murray missed time.

Dunbar isn't a traditional "handcuff" -- he wouldn't become a true every-down back with Murray out -- but he'd certainly lead Dallas' backfield in touches and be heavily involved as a passing-down specialist on a pass-happy team, giving Dunbar plenty of prospective handcuff value. With Murray healthy, Archer expects 24-year-old Dunbar to be utilized in the screen game and as a change-of-pace back. He could shoot from something like 6-9 touches per game to 14-18 with Murray out. Dunbar is still very much worth stashing by Murray owners, with an outside chance at standalone flex value even with Murray healthy.

Cowboys RBs coach Gary Brown said Lance Dunbar can line up anywhere on the field, including "tailback, at wide receiver, in the slot."

"He's a guy that's going to be a complete weapon," Brown added. "We're looking forward to using him as a weapon." Nick Eatman of the Cowboys' official website issued a fantasy alert on Dunbar recently after watching spring practices, saying Dunbar is going to be owned in every league. There's plenty of late-round flier appeal with Dunbar. New OC Scott Linehan got healthy RB2 production out of Joique Bell in Detroit last season, behind Reggie Bush.

The Cowboys are "creating stuff" for Lance Dunbar during OTAs.

Per Bryan Broaddus of the Cowboys' official site, the team has "big plans" for Dunbar. It's more buzz for an undersized yet shifty change-of-pace back that is the favorite for No. 2 RB duties. Given DeMarco Murray's injury history and Scott Linehan's history of using two backs, there's plenty of late-round flier appeal here.

Lance Dunbar is "excited" about his role in the Cowboys' offense.

Dunbar watched tape of the Lions offense to get an idea of how OC Scott Linehan likes to call games. "It's pretty exciting," Dunbar said. "There's a lot of screens and stuff. He got them the ball in space." The favorite for No. 2 duties behind DeMarco Murray, Dunbar should have an expanded role in the passing offense if he can stay healthy. Dunbar averaged 5.0 YPC and had seven receptions in a change-of-pace role prior to going down last season.

Bryan Broaddus of the Cowboys' website reports new OC Scott Linehan "loves" RB Lance Dunbar.

Dunbar has been earmarked by those who cover the Cowboys as a player primed for a breakout season. Linehan loved using both Reggie Bush and Joique Bell in Detroit, and Dunbar has soft hands in the passing game. As the favorite for No. 2 duties behind an injury-prone DeMarco Murray, Dunbar will be one of the top handcuff backs to own and could even flirt with standalone flex value.

ESPNDallas' Todd Archer thinks RB Lance Dunbar is a good fit for Scott Linehan's offense.

Linehan loves to use his backs in the passing game, and Dunbar has the skill set to be a dynamic playmaker in the open field. He will carry upside as the clear-cut No. 2 back behind the injury-prone DeMarco Murray.

Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar (knee surgery) said he's 100 percent.

The left knee injury Dunbar sustained on Thanksgiving is behind him. He's projected as the clear-cut No. 2 back behind DeMarco Murray and will have some upside as a handcuff. Dunbar has flashed legit juice and is a nice fit in Scott Linehan's pass-happy scheme.

Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar (knee) will participate in this week's OTAs.

Dunbar sustained ligament damage in his left knee on Thanksgiving and never got back on the field. His ability to get work in this week confirms there was no ACL tear. Dunbar projects as DeMarco Murray's top handcuff this season.

Cowboys RBs coach Gary Brown said Lance Dunbar (knee surgery) is doing well.

Dunbar sustained a ligament injury in his left knee on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys never revealed the exact extent of the injury, but it's not thought to be an ACL tear. We should know more on the speedy Dunbar's status when the Cowboys convene for the beginning of the offseason program later this month. If healthy, he's the favorite for backup duties behind DeMarco Murray.

Bryan Broaddus of the Cowboys' official website expects Lance Dunbar to have a bigger role on offense in 2014.

Broaddus cites new play-caller Scott Linehan's ability to get his running backs in space last season with the Lions and anticipates Linehan doing the same with DeMarco Murray and Dunbar. Both Murray and Dunbar have above-average hands as pass catchers, and it's not out of the question that Dunbar could be sort of a poor man's Joique Bell. Dunbar has flashed explosive playmaking ability in limited opportunities the past two seasons. He's the favorite for No. 2 duties.

Lance Dunbar (knee surgery) will be on crutches for two more weeks.

Dunbar sustained a posterior lateral corner injury on Thanksgiving. He's expected to make a full recovery in time to participate in April OTAs. "The doctors told me I should be fine, and I should feel like I didn't even have surgery," he said. "It's feeling good now. I can bend it; have full range of motion, so we'll see." Dunbar will be battling Joseph Randle for backup duties.

Cowboys placed RB Lance Dunbar on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season.

This was purely a procedural move. Dunbar underwent surgery on his left knee last week and already confirmed he would miss the rest of the season. Dunbar suffered some ligament damage in his knee in the Thanksgiving Day game against the Raiders. Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner will back up DeMarco Murray.

Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar (knee) confirmed he's out for the season.

Dunbar suffered ligament damage to his left knee during Thursday's win over the Raiders and is expected to be sidelined three months after undergoing surgery. He shouldn't have any trouble getting cleared for training camp in 2014 and will be back to compete for a change-of-pace role behind DeMarco Murray.

ESPN's Ed Werder reports the Cowboys fear Lance Dunbar will require season-ending surgery on his injured knee.

Dunbar was originally believed to have suffered only a left knee hyperextension. He underwent a late-Friday MRI on the joint, however, and the results must have shown a ligament tear of some sort. Per Cowboys.com's Bryan Broaddus, it's a torn "posterior lateral corner" in the knee. The surgery would sideline Dunbar for three months, extending well beyond the playoffs. It's a real shame for a player coming off a breakout, 94-yard game on Thanksgiving Day.

Lance Dunbar will undergo an MRI on Friday after he hyperextended his left knee in Thursday's win over the Raiders.

Dunbar hurt his knee with about five minutes left to play in the fourth quarter. On the afternoon, he racked up 94 yards on 13 touches as DeMarco Murray's change-of-pace complement. Dunbar will have ten days to get ready for the Bears in Week 14. He's not a particularly enticing flex option in fantasy.