Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer Responds to Rico Dowdle’s Warning with Wordplay Win

Rico Dowdle returns to Dallas after spending five years with the NFC East franchise.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer Responds to Rico Dowdle’s Warning with Wordplay Win

Brian Schottenheimer and Rico Dowdle (Image via X/ IMAGO)

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The rivalry games are coming fast for Brian Schottenheimer. Within a span of fourteen days, Schottenheimer is all set to welcome another one of his former players to Dallas – first Micah Parsons in week three and now Rico Dowdle in week six.

Dowdle issued a warning to the Cowboys after the Carolina Panthers secured their second win by defeating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Schottenheimer addressed the former Cowboys rusher’s statement during Monday’s press conference.

It’ll be good to see Rico this weekend. I know we’re going to have to buckle up, he said. So we’ll bring our seat belts, Rico. Buckle up.

Dowdle, an undrafted free agent running back out of South Carolina, spent five years with the Cowboys. He served as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott during his initial few seasons before bagging the starter’s role in 2023.

Dowdle made 16 appearances, racking up 235 carries with the ball for 1079 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, along with 39 receptions for 249 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. He became the first ever undrafted free agent to rush for 1000 yards in an NFL season.

However, his numbers failed to convince owner cum general manager Jerry Jones to award him a new contract. He entered free agency and agreed to a one-year extension as the backup to Chuba Hubbard in Carolina.

Head coach Dave Canales elevated Dowdle to RB1 after Hubbard picked up an injury in week four. He answered the call by posting 23 carries for 206 yards and one rushing touchdown. Reporters asked the 27-year-old how he felt about facing the Cowboys:

They got to buckle up. I think they know, for sure. I had been there for five years. They didn’t keep me there for five years for no reason. Looking forward to playing those guys this week. We’ll get to it and handle that when we get there.

Dowdle will go up against the Cowboys, the 32nd-best run defense.

Brian Schottenheimer’s Cowboys have moved on from Rico Dowdle

Dowdle and Tony Pollard’s absence created a void in the running back slot. Deuce Vaughn soon followed them out of Arlington.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer Responds to Rico Dowdle’s Warning with Wordplay Win
Rico Dowdle (Image via IMAGO)

Schottenheimer and Jones searched around the market to shortlist a few candidates. Miles Sanders and then Javonte Williams were signed from free agency, and Texas graduate Jaydon Blue was drafted in the fifth round.

Williams beat out his competition to bag the RB1 job and has been instrumental in the run game. In five starts, Williams has racked up 79 rushes for 447 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and 5 touchdowns, along with 17 receptions for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Sanders has 20 carries for 117 yards and 1 touchdown. Blue made his NFL debut against the New York Jets. He rushed four times for 7 yards and also returned 1 kickoff for 32 yards.

The Cowboys and the Panthers met 16 times in the past. Dallas boasts a 5-11 lead in the series. Cooper Rush replaced Dak Prescott in the last meeting back in 2023. Rush threw 18 completions from 29 attempts for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Bryce Young completed 19 for 28 for 219 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions for the Panthers.

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