Royce Freeman was signed by the Cowboys as a veteran free agent during the offseason but was ultimately cut before the season began. The team opted not to draft a running back despite the deep 2024 draft class, leading to a reliance on less experienced players. Freeman's absence has contributed to the Cowboys' struggles in the backfield, as they have not secured a player with proven NFL-caliber performance.

Freeman was initially part of the Cowboys' running back committee but was cut before the regular season began. His departure highlights the team's shift towards a more streamlined approach with Elliott and Dowdle, as they sought to manage their backfield more effectively.