The Sports Xchange

Oft-injured running back Darren McFadden was one of four players placed on the Dallas Cowboys’ list for the physically unable to perform Thursday as the team prepared to start training camp in Oxnard, Calif.

The team is light a couple of linebackers as well, with Rolando McClain placed on PUP while he recovers from knee surgery and with Keith Rivers retiring. Rivers signed with the team this offseason, but the 2008 first-round pick decided to quit the game at age 28. McClain also will sit out the first four games of the season on an NFL suspension.

McFadden, 27, was signed to compete with Joseph Randle for the starting running back job, vacated when DeMarco Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. But McFadden, who was plagued by injuries in seven years in Oakland, will start out behind in that battle due to a hamstring injury.

Rookie offensive lineman Chaz Green also was placed on PUP, and linebacker Mark Nzeocha and center Shane McDermott were placed on the non-football injury list.

Green, a third-round pick from Florida, is recovering from hip surgery. Nzeocha, seventh-round pick, missed offseason work with a knee injury suffered at Wyoming last year. McDermott has an eye issue.