Cowboys' pass-rush question remains, but is backup QB answered?

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys opened training camp in Oxnard, California, with issues and they returned to their new practice facility, The Star, with issues. Some are old. Some are new. Some have been answered. Some haven’t.

With two preseason games done and two more to play, let's look at a few:

What about the pass rush?

This was the biggest question as the Cowboys left for Oxnard, and it remains so as they practice in Frisco. They do appear more stout at defensive tackle with the addition of Cedric Thornton and the health of Terrell McClain, playing alongside Tyrone Crawford. Jack Crawford has also shown the ability to rush from the interior. At defensive end, David Irving was making a push to be the starter on the left side, but he has been slowed by a groin injury. Benson Mayowa has yet to play in the preseason and has only a handful of practices under his belt because of June knee surgery. Ryan Russell, in his second season, has been given plenty of snaps but has not produced. Charles Tapper, a fourth-round pick, has missed the past two-plus weeks with a low-back strain, affecting his chances of making an impact. If there was one thing notable about the Cowboys' time in Oxnard, it was their aggressiveness with the blitz. It’s not in Rod Marinelli’s DNA, but he might have to do more of it.

And the backup QB is ...

If you said Dak Prescott at the start of training camp, then congratulations. But it’s like answering “C” for every question on a multiple-choice test -- eventually you'll be right. When Kellen Moore broke his fibula Aug. 2, the Cowboys went into search mode but were rebuffed by Nick Foles and backed off on a potential deal for Josh McCown. Since then, Prescott has performed remarkably well. After two of his poorer practices in Oxnard, he accounted for four touchdowns last Friday against Miami. The Cowboys profess they are still analyzing the position, but think about this: They went 1-11 with Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Moore last season in Romo’s absence. Would a rookie backup do worse?

Rolando McClain and Randy Gregory

They remain on the reserve/did not report list. As of late last week the Cowboys have had zero contact with McClain. Gregory, according to sources, is at a treatment facility. The approach from the coaching staff and locker room has been out of sight, out of mind. Two years ago the Cowboys needed McClain in a bad way, so they bent over backward in dealing with his idiosyncrasies. With accountability being one of the themes of this year's camp, there doesn’t seem to be any longing for McClain’s return. So why is he on the roster? Jerry Jones is the last holdout. If something were to happen later in the season, the Cowboys could always see if McClain is in shape to play football after his 10-game suspension ends. There appears to be more in-house sympathy for Gregory, but some of that may be due to the team's questions about the pass rush.

Good problem at running back

The Cowboys have too many of them. Constructing a 53-man roster with five tailbacks does not make much sense, but it is doable. Ezekiel Elliott will be the starter. Alfred Morris has shown to be a great fit for the scheme. Lance Dunbar, who was activated off the physically unable to perform list Sunday, can be a third-down back. Rookie Darius Jackson has shown the ability to play in this league. Darren McFadden has yet to practice because of a broken elbow suffered in June. He is on the non-football injury list, and the hope is he will be ready for Week 1. But if he’s not, the Cowboys could delay a decision by keeping him on NFI, which would mean he'd miss the first six games. That’s one way to solve a puzzle with too many pieces.