Williams, who was waived/injured by the Cowboys on Tuesday, has landed on IR.

Williams, who spent all of last year on the practice squad, has had his NFL career stalled by injuries, with the 2011 second-rounder having underwent two knee scopes this offseason, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. With Williams no longer an option for the team, the Cowboys' post DeMarco Murray backfield is headed by Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar.

Williams was released by the Cowboys on Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports.

According to Archer, Williams underwent knee surgery after June minicamp. The former second-round pick has a troublesome injury history and was a long shot to make the Cowboys' final roster. He now seems unlikely to find a home for the 2015 season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys signed RB Gus Johnson to take on some of the reps that Williams would have received in camp.

Williams (knee) could be facing an uphill battle to secure a roster spot with the Cowboys, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Of course things could change if injuries hit other members of the team's backfield as the summer progresses, but in the wake of DeMarco Murray's free agent departure, Joseph Randle appears to have an edge at securing the job as the team's lead back, with Darren McFadden also in the mix on that front and Lance Dunbar a candidate to see work on passing downs.

Williams (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Williams is dealing with some swelling in his knee, so he'll be held out of practice in hopes of avoiding further aggravation. The former Virginia Tech star could carve out a role in the Dallas backfield this season, as Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle, two fairly underwhelming backs, stand as his primary competition for carries.

Williams could have a significant role in the Cowboys' backfield this season after the club failed to select a running back in this year's draft.

Oft-injured Darren McFadden sits on top of the depth chart, with the plodding Joseph Randle and his off-field issues as his main backup, so a good showing in camp from Williams could easily put him in line for meaningful touches. The Cowboys' elite offensive line is certainly capable of making any back a fantasy asset, but after spending all of last season on Dallas' practice squad this is likely Williams' last chance to make his mark in the NFL.

Demarco Murray's departure for Philadelphia as a free agent bumps Williams up a spot on the Cowboys' depth chart at running back.

He's currently behind Joseph Randle and newly signed injury-prone veteran Darren McFadden on the depth chart, but expect the Cowboys to address the position in the draft, and Randle himself may not be back depending on the outcome of an investigation into domestic violence allegations. After spending all of last season on the Dallas practice squad, however, Williams' prospects for having fantasy value in 2015 are a lot brighter. Depending on how things shake out this offseason, he could end up being an interesting sleeper.

Williams agreed to a two-year contract with Dallas on Tuesday, Fort Worth Star-Telegram writer Clarence Hill reports.

Williams will get another chance to show he's over his early career injury issues, but the fact that he stayed on the practice squad for all of 2014 indicates he's not a great bet to make his way onto the final 2015 Dallas roster.

Williams has been added to the Cowboys' practice squad, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

Williams passed through waivers to get there, but now that he has landed on the Cowboys' practice squad, the 2011 second-rounder is an injury away from possibly rejoining the team's depth RB mix.

Williams has been waived by the Cowboys, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Joseph Randle ended up making the roster because he gives the Cowboys more flexibility on special teams, but ESPN's Todd Archer notes that Williams has practice squad eligibility. Of course, the running back will need to pass through waivers in order for the Cowboys to consider that scenario.

Williams took advantage of Joseph Randle's absence from Saturday's preseason game, leading the Cowboys with 12 carries for 47 yards and adding two catches for 22 yards.

Williams and Randle are competing for the number three spot on the running back depth chart, a role that could have some fantasy value this season given starter DeMarco Murray's injury history. Williams has his own checkered medical report, but he's healthy at the moment and Randle injured his ribs on the kickoff coverage team early in Saturday's contest. The door could be open for Williams to seize the job.

Williams looked good on Saturday, rushing for 36 yards and a touchdown on five carries while catching two passes for 13 yards.

His competition for the third RB spot on the depth chart, Joseph Randle, also had an impressive game, so neither one was able to separate themselves. If the Cowboys aren't able to roster both, this battle could come down to who's more useful on special teams.

Williams gained 29 yards on eight carries and 31 yards on five receptions in Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers.

Not a bad start in Dallas for Williams, who is hoping to push Joseph Randle for the No. 3 running back role. The Cowboys have an excellent offensive line and a pair of running backs with durability issues, so there is some deep league appeal here with the former second-round draft pick.

The Dallas Morning News considers RB Ryan Williams a "longshot" to make the Cowboys' 53-man roster.

It's because Williams "is not a good special teams player." Williams isn't in the mix for Dallas' top-two running back jobs (DeMarco Murray, Lance Dunbar), and Joseph Randle made a special teams tackle in all four of his special teams appearances last season. If Williams outplays Randle as a running back, however, we still wouldn't rule out the Cowboys keeping four RBs on the roster.

ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer said the Cowboys would likely keep Lance Dunbar in a third-down role if DeMarco Murray was injured, and would use Ryan Williams or Joseph Randle as the early-down back.

Williams and Randle are likely competing for one roster spot, so whoever wins the competition would be the early-down replacement for Murray. Williams is the clear favorite to win the competition, which means he is the clear favorite to be the primary backup to a player who has missed 11 games due to injury in his three-year career. Williams will have no value without an injury, but he is an interesting redraft flier in deeper leagues.

Cowboys RB Ryan Williams "has done nothing to disappoint" during OTAs.

Williams reportedly "looks healthy" after spending all of 2013 as a weekly inactive. He's been splitting third-team reps with Joseph Randle and has a chance to be the top early-down backup to DeMarco Murray this season. Williams and Randle are likely competing for one roster spot, though it's possible Dallas could keep four running backs with Murray in a contract year.

The Cowboys are expected to sign free agent RB Ryan Williams.

The Cowboys are working out free agent RB Ryan Williams.

Williams was waived by the Cardinals earlier this week. The No. 38 overall pick in 2011, Williams never fully recovered from his rookie-year knee injury and was inactive for all 16 games last season. The Cowboys could be a fit for Williams if he has anything left. Dallas has just Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar backing up DeMarco Murray.

Cardinals waived RB Ryan Williams.

The No. 38 overall pick of the 2011 draft, injuries have limited Williams to five career appearances. He missed his entire rookie year with a ruptured right patellar tendon, and appeared in only five games as a sophomore before a shoulder injury sent him to injured reserve. He surprisingly remained on the roster for all of 2013 despite being active for zero games. Stilly only 24, Williams could earn a look on waivers from running-back needy teams, but it's quite possible he just doesn't have any juice left.

The Cardinals' plan right now is to keep Ryan Williams on the roster and let him compete for a spot in the running back rotation.

Williams has a $1.5 million cap number and was a healthy scratch in all 16 games last year. But the Cards are going to give him a shot because of the eye-opening things he put on tape prior to a brutal 2011 knee injury. If Williams can reach some semblance of his old abilities, he'll be in the mix with Stepfan Taylor behind Andre Ellington. If not, the Cards can move on after training camp.

Coach Bruce Arians confirmed Ryan Williams is no lock to stick on the roster.

Williams was a healthy scratch in all 16 games last season after missing the entire preseason. But prior to his devastating 2011 knee injury, he put special things on tape. With only Stepfan Taylor and Alfonso Smith behind Andre Ellington, the Cardinals will want to at least give Williams a shot. "Ryan has a chance this year. ... He did impressive things on the scout team," Arians said. "There's always a door number two. If door number two is better when we look behind it, he could be gone. But he can play."