After dropping four straight games to fall to 3-6 on the season, the Dallas Cowboys are scrambling to turn things around. While their playoff hopes are slim, the team is looking to be more competitive in the coming weeks. To that end, head coach Mike McCarthy is exploring adjustments to the lineup.
On Thursday, McCarthy announced a significant change. According to Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr., Rico Dowdle will take over as the lead running back, replacing the previous committee approach in the backfield.
While Dowdle has been the most productive RB on the roster this season, this isn’t the major move Cowboys fans may have hoped for. Given the team’s struggles in the run game all year, many expected Dallas to address the issue before the trade deadline. With no new addition, shifting focus to Dowdle is the next best option.
Dowdle has shared backfield duties with Ezekiel Elliott throughout the season, with Dalvin Cook joining the rotation in recent weeks. Dowdle is averaging just over 10 carries per game compared to Elliott’s seven. However, Dowdle has been far more efficient, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, while Elliott lags behind at 3.2.
Dowdle has been on the field for about half of the team’s offensive snaps since the season began. His workload is expected to increase, while Elliott’s role may diminish further. Whether this change will provide the spark Dallas needs during the final stretch of the season remains uncertain.
