The Dallas Cowboys lost on Sunday, but Darren McFadden won a greater share of the carries moving forward.
Owner Jerry Jones told KRLD-FM on Tuesday that the back has earned the right to start Sunday in Seattle, via the Dallas Morning News.
"He should just continue to get better," he said.
Jones' comments come a day after coach Jason Garrett said he planned to increase McFadden's workload.
"I thought he was outstanding," Garrett said Monday, via the team's official website. "I think anybody who watched the game had to have been impressed by his performance. You saw him run inside, you saw him run off tackle and you saw him run outside. He made a lot of big plays in the game, he had a lot of dirty runs in the game. Just really, really played a complete football game and that's a well as we've run the football all year long and we have to continue to build on that."
Joseph Randle started Sunday's game, but left with an oblique injury. NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported that Randle is expected to miss some time -- making McFadden the likely starter whether Jones thought he should be or not.
If Randle misses significant time, McFadden should carry a big load. Christine Michael's role should increase, but the Cowboys have yet to show a willingness to trust the talented but unproductive back.
Sunday marked the first game this season a Cowboys running back went over the 100-yard barrier. It was McFadden's first 100-yard game since Week 2 of 2013. The 29 carries were the most since Week 15, 2012 (30 carries) and the 152 rushing yards were his most since Week 3, 2011 (171 rush yards).
With Dez Bryant hoping to return soon and Tony Romo still weeks away, the Cowboys will tie their saddle to McFadden. Hopefully he doesn't get hurt, too.
