DeMarco Murray should be a full participant when training camp starts in Oxnard, Calif. later this month. The Dallas Cowboys starting running back said Wednesday that he's "100 percent, ready to go."
"I'm doing everything," Murray added. "Full speed."
Murray made those comments during an interview on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," one of three ESPN shows the 25-year-old appeared on Wednesday morning.
Getting an update on Murray's health status has been common since he was selected by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The former Oklahoma standout has missed nine games the last two seasons because of foot and ankle injuries. Murray also missed some time during off-season activities this year with a strained hamstring.
In 23 career games, Murray has rushed for 1,560 yards, which includes a franchise record 253-yard day against the St. Louis Rams in 2011. If Murray stayed healthy for an entire season, what would he be capable of?
While on "First Take," Murray was asked if he was capable of a 2,000-yard season like his friend, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.
"I think I'm capable of anything," Murray said.
Of course, the Cowboys would need to make a greater commitment to the running game for that to happen. Some believe having Bill Callahan calling the plays will make the offense more balanced. Last season, the Cowboys finished 31st in rushing and Tony Romo attempted a career-high 648 passes.
"We definitely need to emphasize the running game," Murray said on SportsCenter. "When you're second-to-last in attempts, more than likely you're going to be second-to-last in rushing, so we definitely got to get the running game going."
Murray said he didn't think the change in play-caller would be significant because it's still Garrett's system. He added that Garrett is a "great play-caller" and Callahan is a "great coach" that has "had a lot of success calling plays."
"I think to be a successful on offense you got to be balanced," Murray said, "and running the ball is definitely a key for this team."
So why does Murray think the Cowboys threw the ball so much last season?
"There were some times when we got down early, so we had to throw the ball," Murray said. "We kind of got away from the run game. This year we got to stay balanced and continue to ground-and-pound, and that will open up lanes for Romo. And with him letting it fly a little bit, that will open up lanes for myself."
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
