The Dallas Cowboys called up running back Lance Dunbar to the 53-man roster today. Dunbar takes up the spot vacated by CB LeQuan Lewis, who was released last week.

It is expected that Dunbar will see action on special teams as a returner and gunner, and he may also see spot duty on the offense. When asked what his role on special teams might be, Dunbar was very straightforward:

"They just want somebody to make plays, get past the 20," Dunbar said Monday. "And I think I can do that. Use my speed, use my burst and my vision, and hopefully make plays on special teams."

The Cowboys need all the help they can get in the return game. After Week 5 they are ranked 25th in average yards per kickoff returns and 28th in average yards per punt returns.

While Dunbar didn't have any kickoff returns in the preseason, he did get three punt returns, on which he averaged 11.7 yards per return. That's almost twice the 6.0 yards the Cowboys have averaged so far this season.

Dunbar joined the Cowboys this year as an undrafted free agent out of North Texas, where he was the all-time leading rusher. In this year's preseason, he had 18 carries for 106 yards.

In other news, the Cowboys signed receiver Raymond Radway to the practice squad. Radway was on injured reserve for the entire 2011 season. With a practice squad spot vacated by Dunbar, and Danny Coale sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Cowboys decided to bring in an extra receiver to help out in practices.