Cowboys reward Rico Dowdle with starting running back status, ending committee approach featuring Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy named Rico Dowdle the primary running back for the rest of the season, sidelining Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook.

Cowboys reward Rico Dowdle with starting running back status, ending committee approach featuring Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook

Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle (Image via ESPN)

The Dallas Cowboys finally made a move on the running back spot, and no, they did not add another high-profile name alongside Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. Instead, Mike McCarthy appointed Rico Dowdle as the leading back for the Cowboys for the rest of the season.

The Cowboys languish near the bottom (31st in rushing yards and have the joint lowest rushing touchdowns with 3 alongside the Cleveland Browns) of the league in terms of running the ball on the ground.

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Despite the presence of multiple Pro Bowl running backs in their team, McCarthy failed to provide quarterback Dak Prescott, who rarely uses his feet, with proper cover. Ironically, Prescott hurt his hamstring while attempting a run.

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With Cooper Rush taking over the starting quarterback role, the Cowboys reverted back to their original one-rusher formation. By doing so, McCarthy essentially parted ways with the running back committee model, and Rico Dowdle will line up in the backfield for the majority of the snaps.

Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. reported the news on Thursday after practice concluded at Arlington.

There is no more running back by committee in Dallas. Mike McCarthy said Rico Dowdle is the Cowboys lead back: ‘Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That’s my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He’s the lead back.’

Clarence Hill Jr. reported via X
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If Rico Dowdle doesn’t work, then Cowboys should draft a running back in 2025

Dowdle has been the Cowboys’ best rusher by a country mile. Pro Football Reference revealed that the undrafted free agent ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing success rate (55.4% success rate in the last eight NFL games).

Cowboys reward Rico Dowdle with starting runningback status, ending committee approach featuring Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook
Rico Dowdle (Image via ESPN)

Last season, Dowdle appeared in 16 games but did not start in any, recording 89 carries for 361 yards and two touchdowns. He’s already equaled those numbers in just eight games (7 starts): 83 carries for 374 yards (4.5 yards per carry but 5.5 in the last four appearances).

His future looks bright, but there’s always the possibility of the Cowboys adding new blood through the draft. Both Elliott and Cook will enter free agency when this season ends, so drafting a new RB does make sense.

Boise State Broncos rusher Ashton Jeanty has constantly been linked with the Cowboys. Jeanty is on the verge of breaking Hall of Famer Barry Sanders’ college football rushing yards record. In nine games, Jeanty rushed 224 times for 1734 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns.

The 20-year-old back wants to play for his home team.

My family’s all in Texas. Family being there, all of the connections, all of the relationships—I feel like that would be the perfect city to play in.

Ashton Jeanty recently said
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The Cowboys currently sit on a 3-7 record with seven games left. Usually, running backs aren’t the top priority in the rounds of the draft, but Jerry Jones can certainly make a move.