How did Hunter Luepke perform in the Dallas Cowboys’ final preseason game?
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See photos from the game
The Cowboys defeat the New York Jets in their season home opener. Check out photos from the sidelines.
Hunter Luepke was an undrafted free agent whom the Dallas Cowboys gave him $200,000 in guaranteed money to get him to sign with the team.
In a fierce battle to earn a spot on the team’s opening-day 53-man roster, the former North Dakota State standout stated his case. on Saturday in the Cowboys’ 31-16 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium.
Luepke split carries with Malik Davis. Luepke rushed 15 times for 58 yards while adding five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
“I mean, coaches talked to me a little bit and said they wanted to get me a little bit more reps this week, so I just took that, and ran with it. Every time I was on the field I was going to give it my best effort,” said Luepke.
Luepke’s versatility as a runner and as a pass catcher was on full display in the game. The Cowboys envisioned Luepke as a fullback who could also be a weapon in the run-and-pass game. Despite upfront financial guarantees, Luepke will have a tough road to make the roster with the Cowboys’ talent at the running back position.
Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn all appear to be locks to make the final 53-man roster.
Luepke is competing with Davis and Ronald Jones for a roster spot. However, Luepke believes he showed what he can bring to the Cowboys.
“I think I’m a big physical back, I can play multiple positions and I’m a smarter football player than a lot of people may see,” said Luepke.
Jones is suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Jones did not play in Saturday’s game and has been suffering from a groin injury throughout training camp.
Davis was the Cowboys third-string running back last season rushing for 161 yards on 38 carries with one touchdown last season. Davis had 10 carries for 42 yards with three catches for 15 yards against the Raiders.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has said he wants to have four running backs on the final roster and praised Davis and Luepke for how they played.
“Some guys really stepped up with their opportunity. I mean, Hunter [Luepke] I thought he played well, Malik [Davis] played well,” said McCarthy, “I mean our young players improved on week one, to week two, to week three.”
Luepke had a quiet preseason during the Cowboys’ other two preseason games rushing nine times for nine yards.
NFL teams must cut their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT.
This story was originally published August 26, 2023 at 10:04 PM.
