Dallas Cowboys: 5 Takeaways from preseason opener

• Gus Johnson can play in the NFL

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Gus Johnson (37) runs while defended by San Diego Chargers defensive back

(26) during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Though he suffered a shoulder injury, I was impressed with the play of Gus Johnson at running back. Do I think he can be the starter on the team when Week 1 arrives? Not necessarily, but he might be able to be a nice third down back on the roster.

Johnson finished with 35 yards on 13 carries with the lone Cowboys touchdown. His longest run went for 10 runs, playing behind a makeshift offensive line. For being a player who wasn’t drafted, Johnson did his job on Thursday night.

The Cowboys had just 70 yards rushing as a team against the Chargers, so Johnson was responsible for half of it.

Besides his touchdown run (the blocking wasn’t the best in the red zone), maybe the best play Johnson had on Thursday was when he fought his way for a first down on a fourth-and-one, but on the next play, the Cowboys lost the ball on a mishandled snap by quarterback Brandon Weeden.

As for his 5-yard touchdown run, the Cowboys TV announcers called him “Gus the Bus” when he powered his way to the end zone for the touchdown in the second quarter.

I want to see a little more from Johnson and see if he can upend Lance Dunbar as the third running back on the roster. With Dunbar being injured, if Johnson can get back on the field, this could become an interesting training camp battle as the grind of the preseason continues.

Next: Let's all hope Romo stays healthy