The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position, navigating through a season riddled with challenges both on and off the field. The team has a 3-6 record and is in the midst of a four-game losing streak. However, amidst the team's struggles, an unlikely star has emerged in the form of undrafted running back Rico Dowdle.
Rico Dowdle: From Undrafted to Leading the Charge
Rico Dowdle’s journey to the forefront of the Dallas Cowboys' offense is nothing short of inspiring. Coming from the University of South Carolina as an undrafted free agent, Dowdle has risen to become the starting running back for "America's Team." His ascent is marked by perseverance through adversity, as he articulated: "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America's Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that. That [injuries] 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."
Dowdle has not disappointed. He leads the Cowboys' rushing attack with 374 yards on 83 carries, averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry. He has also shown versatility, having scored three receiving touchdowns this season. One of his standout performances was during Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he achieved a career-high 87 rushing yards along with a 22-yard receiving touchdown.
Praise from the Coaching Staff and Teammates
Coach Mike McCarthy has been vocal about his confidence in Dowdle, underscoring the importance of ensuring he gets ample opportunities to impact games. "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back," McCarthy emphasized, adding that Dowdle had demonstrated his potential through his efforts in previous games.
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush echoed this sentiment, praising Dowdle's consistent performance and relentless running style. "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," Rush noted.
Overcoming Team Adversity
The Cowboys' season has been marred by significant injuries and roster changes. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott is out for the season following hamstring surgery, and DaRon Bland is sidelined with a stress fracture. Moreover, the defensive line is thinning, testing the depth and resilience of the team. On the offensive side, rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are being integrated into the line, representing another layer of adjustment the team must navigate.
The departure of Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans also signaled a shift in the team's offensive dynamics, relinquishing the running back role to Dowdle. Despite these hurdles, Dowdle has embraced the challenge, striving to bring stability to the running game. He attributed his recent success to his health and conditioning, stating, "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."
A Continuing Struggle on the Ground
Despite Dowdle's individual success, the Cowboys’ ground game collectively ranks near the bottom of the league, averaging just 83.7 rushing yards per game—the second-fewest in the NFL. This inefficiency underscores the importance of Dowdle's role and his potential to elevate the team’s performance as they prepare to face the Houston Texans, whose run defense stands at 11th in the league.
Dowdle recognizes the need to find a rhythm in carrying the bulk of the offensive load, saying, "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."
As the Cowboys look to turn their season around, Rico Dowdle's role becomes ever more crucial. His ability to continue performing at a high level could determine whether Dallas can break its losing streak and reestablish itself as a contender. Dowdle's grit and determination stand as a beacon of hope for a team striving to overcome adversity and regain its footing in the NFL landscape.