IRVING, Texas -- On Wednesday, Jason Garrett announced changes at quarterback (from Brandon Weeden to Matt Cassel) and left guard (from Ronald Leary to La’el Collins). He wasn’t ready to announce any change at the running back spot.

While Joseph Randle might remain the starter, it’s clear Christine Michael will get more opportunities when the Cowboys play the New York Giants on Oct. 25.

The Cowboys acquired Michael from the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 6. He was inactive for the first three games as he learned the offense, and got one carry in each of the last two losses to the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.

“I think he’s where he needs to be, and we want to take the reins off him and let him rock,” running backs coach Gary Brown said.

At 5-foot-10 and 221 pounds, Michael is bigger than Randle and Darren McFadden. His size can help the offensive line.

“Not to say that the other guys don’t have power, but I think he probably has a little bit more power,” Brown said. “We’ve got to take advantage of that.”

The Cowboys have not been effective enough running the ball so far this season, with 531 yards rushing on 129 carries and five touchdowns. Randle leads the Cowboys with 289 yards on 74 carries and has four touchdowns. Darren McFadden has 37 carries for 129 yards. Lance Dunbar was lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The team is 19th in the NFL in rushing. Last year the Cowboys were never lower than 11th, with DeMarco Murray rushing for a franchise-record 1,845 yards. They finished as the league’s second-best running team.

Michael has yet to start a game in his career and has yet to have more than nine carries in a game, but that’s mostly because he played behind Marshawn Lynch.

“He’s quick. He’s explosive," Garrett said. “I think he’s proven to be a good runner in college (and) when he’s had opportunities in the NFL. Again, we just want to get him into the mix. We’ll keep giving Joe opportunities. We’ll keep giving Darren opportunities. He’s worthy of a chance to play a little bit more.”

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