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The Cowboys lost running back Lance Dunbar for the season early last October when he tore his ACL and patellar tendon during a game with the Saints.

As a result of that injury, Dunbar hasn’t been back on the field since he re-signed with the Cowboys this offseason but executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday that it may not be long before that changes. Jones said that Dunbar hasn’t been “totally ruled out” of training camp and that the back has progressed more quickly than anticipated.

“It’s a long year for him, and we want to do things the right way with him,” Jones said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “But gosh, I commend him. He’s worked so hard and come so far, so fast — a lot faster than anyone dreamed he could come. We’ve also got to do what’s right in his best interest and certainly not jeopardize any of the hard work he’s put into this. But I think we’ve got a great look at what he can for us. I think Tony [Romo] got a good look even though he wasn’t out there with him for a lot of that with what he can do for our football team.”

With Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris joining Darren McFadden on the roster this offseason, Dunbar will return to a deeper group of backs than the team had when he was injured. Elliott’s the only one guaranteed to have a major role, but Dunbar’s skills as a receiver could help him carve out a niche if he’s healthy this summer.