Cowboys' Struggles Continue as Key Players Sidelined
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a challenging stretch, currently holding a 3-6 record and reeling from four straight losses. The absence of star quarterback Dak Prescott, sidelined for the season after hamstring surgery, has been keenly felt. Compounding their woes, crucial defensive components such as DaRon Bland have been missing in action due to a stress fracture. The defense is under additional strain as the line appears notably depleted. Yet amidst this adversity, the emergence of an undrafted talent, Rico Dowdle, is offering a glimmer of hope.
Rico Dowdle: A Bright Spot
Rico Dowdle, the Cowboys' new leading running back, has been remarkable this season. An undrafted free agent from the University of South Carolina, Dowdle has seized his opportunity, delivering consistent performances that include 374 rushing yards on 83 carries, and averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also boasts three receiving touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and resilience. His career-high performance came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, where he achieved 87 rushing yards coupled with a 22-yard receiving touchdown.
Reflecting on his rise, Dowdle stated, "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America’s Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that. That was one of my things that was hindering me I guess when I broke my hip two, three years ago. Definitely gratifying. I've always had confidence that I would be able to go out there and get the job done." His journey is a testament to perseverance, echoing the spirit of the undrafted athletes who have carved out roles in the NFL.
Coaching Support and Player Confidence
Dowdle's effective play has not gone unnoticed by his coaches. Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys' head coach, has emphasized the necessity of keeping the ball in Dowdle's hands, 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." This confidence from McCarthy has bolstered Dowdle’s own belief, as he expressed, "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."
Adjustments and Challenges
As the Cowboys strive to regain their footing, they are transitioning away from a committee approach in favor of giving Dowdle the bulk of carries. Reflecting on this shift, Dowdle remarked, "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." This change emphasizes the team's reliance on Dowdle as a linchpin of their offensive strategy.
Still, the Cowboys face challenges in their front line, necessitating the integration of rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe into the offensive line. Meanwhile, backup quarterback Cooper Rush has expressed confidence in Dowdle's ability to deliver on the field, sharing, "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."
Upcoming Challenges
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Houston Texans, who possess the 11th-ranked run defense in the league, the urgency to improve their ground game becomes apparent. The Cowboys currently average just 83.7 rushing yards per game, ranking them second-fewest in the league, which underscores the task at hand for Dowdle and his teammates.
In the absence of former backfield staple Tony Pollard, who has joined the Tennessee Titans, Rico Dowdle’s ascent as the primary back is pivotal for the team. His predecessors left big shoes to fill, yet Dowdle’s readiness to accept responsibility and his continued growth suggest he is well-prepared for the job.
For the Dallas Cowboys, sustained improvement requires maximizing the potential of their current roster while managing the rigors of an injury-riddled season. As Dowdle continues to outpace expectations, the hope is that his play can ignite a resurgence for a team struggling to find its rhythm.