Finally, a real explanation for Darren McFadden's broken elbow emerged. And it's a heck of a lot more believable than that iPhone story.
When news of the running back's injury initially broke, Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown provided an explanation that seemed too strange to be true. Brown said that McFadden tried to save his new iPhone from hitting the ground and, in the process, cracked his elbow. McFadden, though, shot down that story.
As the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported last week:
McFadden (Pulaski Oak Grove) said reports he broke his elbow after he fell in an attempt to save a dropped cell phone were untrue. He said he was in a friend's backyard after a funeral and slipped on cement near a swimming pool.
"I just slipped down and landed on my elbow," he said. "My phone was in my hand, and so people kind of put that story out."
So, I have questions: Who put that iPhone story out there? Why? And why didn't McFadden correct the story sooner? Lastly, did the iPhone survive the fall?
Anyway, the good news for the Cowboys is that McFadden doesn't seem too concerned about the injury.
"I got a few weeks left in this brace, but other than that, my body feels good," McFadden said. "I feel great, and I'm looking forward to the season. I'm ready to go."
Once he's healthy (he's expected to miss a couple of months), McFadden should serve as complementary back behind rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Last year, McFadden eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, so he gives the Cowboys a legitimate second option in the backfield.
Now he just needs to stay away from pools for the remainder of the summer. Either that, or he should buy a pair of Crocs with extra grip.
I vote for option A. It's the cheaper of the two and doesn't involve wearing Crocs.
