The Cowboys got training camp started with conditioning tests on Monday and not every member of the team was ready for the task.
Most notable among the three players who failed the test was running back Felix Jones. Jones wasn’t able to pass the test, which required him to run 60 yards in eight seconds, and will now have to do remedial running until he takes and passes the test. Jones won’t be practicing with the team until that happens.
While there’s plenty of time for Jones, who had shoulder surgery this offseason, to get himself under the threshold set by coach Jason Garrett, it’s definitely a negative mark for a player whose role this season still needs to be defined. DeMarco Murray will be the starting tailback and the team wants to start using Jones as a kickoff returner again, which makes it clear that they are fine slashing his time on offense. The fact that Jones couldn’t get himself healthy enough to pass the test on Monday will likely lead to the Cowboys giving a longer look at other running back options who were ready for the start of camp.
Jones was the standout name among the failures, but not the only one whose role on the team could be impacted by their inability to pass the test. Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com reports that safety Brodney Pool and wide receiver Andre Holmes will be joining Jones for some remedial running. Pool is fighting for a starting safety job and Holmes is part of the scrum for the third wide receiver spot.