The Dallas Cowboys' Struggles as Rico Dowdle Emerges in the Backfield
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a challenging position with a 3-6 record, having lost four consecutive games. Despite their struggles, the rise of undrafted free agent Rico Dowdle as the leading running back offers a beacon of hope amid the adversity. Dowdle, a standout from the University of South Carolina, has not only taken the starting reins but also embraced the opportunity with great pride and determination.
Dowdle, stepping up in the absence of Dak Prescott, who is sidelined for the season due to hamstring surgery, and DaRon Bland, out with a stress fracture, has become a vital part of the Cowboys' offense. Coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of involving Dowdle more in the offensive strategy, saying, "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back. I thought he had a really good first half [against the Eagles], and I think that's really illustrated by the attempts. Rico needs to touch the ball."
The Cowboys' offensive line also sees fresh faces with rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe being integrated, a necessary move as they deal with a thin defensive line. Dowdle’s performance so far has been commendable, having rushed for 374 yards on 83 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and scoring three receiving touchdowns this season. His career-high performance came in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he delivered 87 rushing yards and a 22-yard receiving touchdown.
Reflecting on his journey, Dowdle expressed gratitude for earning the starting position. "It means a lot coming from Coach McCarthy. Showing that they got confidence, and they trusted me as the starting running back of the Dallas Cowboys. I take that with great pride," Dowdle stated. He continued, "That's a good accomplishment coming from my situation, undrafted and all the adversity I've been through."
His emergence becomes crucial following the departure of Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans, leaving a gap in the Cowboys' backfield. Despite the pressure, Dowdle stands firm in his resolve, having overcome significant obstacles, including a hip injury that previously hindered his career. "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America's Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that," Dowdle shared with reflective pride. "I've always had confidence that I would be able to go out there and get the job done."
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush echoed the sentiments of Dowdle's potential impact on the field. "Yeah, Rico's running hard. He's running fast, running hard. He broke a couple long ones there for us last week. He's been doing that all year. He's been consistent, and we look forward to every time he touches it." Such trust from his teammates highlights the valuable contributions Dowdle brings to the Cowboys during these testing times.
However, the Cowboys face significant challenges, as evidenced by their average of 83.7 rushing yards per game, the second-fewest in the league. As they prepare to face the Houston Texans, whose run defense ranks 11th in the league, the path doesn't get any easier. Still, Dowdle remains optimistic and determined. "The committee approach was something that wasn't working for us, so I stood firm on wanting to find that rhythm since the beginning. You want to be able to get out there and get the bulk of the carries and find that rhythm. ... It's all about finding that rhythm."
Dowdle's focus now remains on maintaining his physical health and seizing the opportunity. "Yeah, for sure, in my past, it was all about the injuries and things like that, but now I feel that I've got my body in the best shape and best position possible for me. So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency," he expressed confidently.
As the Cowboys aim to turn around their fortunes, the journey of Rico Dowdle offers a narrative of resilience and hope. While the odds may seem daunting, his determination and performance could provide the spark needed to revive Dallas's season.