In the blowout win over the Giants, Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle had his greatest game of his ιnjury-marred career, rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches. More was expected in Week 11 against the 1-8 Carolina Panthers if Dallas could take an early lead and pound the run game.
Unfortunately, Dowdle ointment has a fly. On Saturday, the Cowboys downgraded him to questionable with an ankle issue.
Quarter4 @ Heavy on Cowboys reported that Rico Dowdle injured his ankle during Saturday’s walk-through. His Week 11 status may not be known until 90 minutes before Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
In light of Tony Pollard’s difficulties, Cowboys fans and media have been urging coach Mike McCarthy to give Rico Dowdle a bigger role. Pollard has only 529 yards on 135 carries in nine games this season. 3.9 yards per carry is a career low.
Jerry Jones, club owner and general manager, told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas: “He’s a violent runner. Excellent running skills. I’m thrilled for him. Finally a complete running back. He excels. We really get a 1-2 puncҺ.”
McCarthy lauded Dowdle for running “angry” in training camp and following Week 10.
“He runs so dаmn angry it’s beautiful,” McCarthy added.
Rico Dowdle has played little for the Cowboys in four seasons, but his longevity is a testament to his value to the organization.
Dowdle, an undrafted free agent from South Carolina in 2020, played special teams and has seven running attempts as the third-stringer behind Ezekiel Elliott and Pollard.
However, a hip ιnjury ruined his 2021 season, and an ankle issue limited him to five games last season. After Elliott left, Dowdle filled in for Pollard but had only 35 carries for 133 yards before Week 10’s breakout.
After a strong training camp, Dowdle appeared to be in line for more work this season. In Cowboys preseason games, he rushed 14 times for 59 yards, a healthy 4.7 yards per carry.
Dowdle outperformed Pollard in Pro Football Focus’ Week 10 grading, ranking 14th among 60 NFL running backs with 74.4 points. Pollard was 41st in the league with 66.4.
Tony Catalina of SB Nation’s Blogging the Boys may have summed up Cowboys supporters’ thoughts this week:
The Cowboys should include Dowdle into their game plan as the season progresses, as it has no negаtive effects. People want more Rico Dowdle.”
Heavy.com veteran Sean Deveney covers NBA and NFL. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and covered the NBA for almost 20 years, including 17 years as the Sporting News’ lead NBA correspondent. Deveney has written 7 nonfiction works, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” Sean Deveney info
