After two years on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, Running Back Jordan Chunn would love to finally make it onto the official roster in 2020. What will it take for the third-year player to earn a bigger role with the team?
Chunn joined Dallas as an unrestricted free agent in 2018. While mostly a power runner, Jordan has stuck around this far by offering some extra tools as a receiver and potential on special teams.
Technically, Chunn was on the 53-man roster last season. While he was released during final cuts in 2019, Jordan was re-signed a couple days later while Ezekiel Elliott's contract holdout was still going on.
Elliott was re-signed on September 4th, and naturally Chunn was released on September 10th. He still hasn't been on the roster, active or inactive, for a regular season game.
The Cowboys didn't even keep a third RB in 2019. They ran with just Zeke and Tony Pollard, knowing that FB Jamize Olawale and WR Tavon Austin had some flexibility to step in as emergency backs if needed.
Will that same strategy be used in 2020? Austin may be gone but Olawale is still here. Dallas could easily decide again that they don't need another RB, especially with Pollard needing more touches after his strong rookie season.
Even if Dallas opts to extend the RB depth chart in 2020, Chunn will have to fight off some new arrivals. The Cowboys added two running backs and a fullback among their undrafted rookies:
- RB Darius Anderson, TCU
- RB Rico Dowdle, South Carolina
- FB Seno Olonilua, TCU
Jordan has an advantage with two seasons already in the Cowboys system. And while the system could be shifting greatly under new Head Coach Mike McCarthy, at least Kellen Moore is still around to provide some consistency on offense.
The key for Jordan Chunn is going to be special teams. He has to emerge as a player who John Fassel wants on his units.
A great player for Chunn to model himself after would be former Cowboy Rod Smith. While not exceptional in any way, Jaylon's big brother provided value as a backup RB, fullback, and special teamer.
Can Jordan Chunn finally break through and get onto the 2020 roster? He has flashed potential but now he has to find a real role on the team, and primarily on special teams.
Otherwise, Chunm risks being supplanted by younger, shinier new toys.
