Murray closes in on Smith’s record

Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was the last player to arrive for a postgame interview Sunday evening.

That’s not exactly a new development. The NFL’s leading rusher is usually prone to making the media wait for his comments.

In 2014, however, Murray has done most of his talking on the field. His 58 yards in the Cowboys’ 42-7 crushing of the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium put him close to Emmitt Smith’s franchise record for rushing yards in a season.

With the Cowboys’ playoff road map basically set after clinching their first NFC East title since 2009, which guarantees at least one postseason home game, Murray’s need to touch the ball in the regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins on Sunday is minimal.

But considering how long the Cowboys’ front-line players remained in Sunday’s game despite leading 28-0 at the half, 35-0 after three quarters and 42-0 early in the fourth, it seems likely Murray will get a shot at the record in the first half (at least). He needs just 29 yards to break Smith’s 1995 record of 1,773 yards.

Despite playing with an injured left hand he had surgery on six days ago, Murray had 22 carries for an average of 2.6 yards an attempt. He has an NFL-high 373 carries this season, four shy of Smith’s franchise record set in ’95. It’s the most carries in the NFL since Larry Johnson had 416 in 2006.

Cowboys offensive linemen said the accomplishment is even more amazing when you consider the legend he is passing. Case in point, quarterback Tony Romo passed Troy Aikman as the Cowboys’ all-time leader in career passing yards with 32,971.

“Records aren’t something that we look at, but obviously it would be a tremendous accomplishment, a real testimony to him,” right guard Zack Martin said. “We want to get it for him because he’s the best back there is, and he comes in every day [and works]. He broke his hand five days ago and he’s out there running extremely hard. He’s fun to play for and it’s a privilege. It’s pretty cool, like Tony setting that record today. It’s pretty special to think about who he passed.”

The division title was much more pertinent to Murray, who has 1,745 yards this season, 26th most in a season in NFL history.

“It’s a testament to all the hard work that everybody in this organization has put in. It was definitely earned. We’re definitely not satisfied,” said Murray, who admitted his hand caused him pain. He played 31 snaps before leaving the game in the third quarter.

“It was hurting throughout the game but I made my mind up a long time ago that I was going to play,” he said.

Playing with pain was a hallmark of Smith’s career while becoming the league’s all-time leader in rushing yards.

“It’s just unbelievable that he had surgery on Monday and is out here playing on Sunday,” Cowboys executive vice present Stephen Jones said. “If you can’t get motivated and fired up for what he’s about ... he’s a man through and through. I just admire the fact that he went out there, not only to go out there, went out there and played tough, played hard, and I think really inspired offense.”

Smith made it a point to attend Sunday’s game to see Murray break his record. No word yet whether Smith will make the trip to Washington.

“I was sitting with Emmitt during the game, and Emmitt is rooting for him,” Jones said. “He’s had an unbelievable season and certainly been a big part of why we are here, and if nothing, I’d like to see more than him break the record.”

Same goes for Murray, who did not speak of the pending milestone. Instead, he was all about winning the division and making the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

“It’s a steppingstone to what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said.

This story was originally published December 21, 2014 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Murray closes in on Smith’s record."