The Cowboys are signing Ezekiel Elliott to join Dowdle in a backfield that otherwise lacks experienced players and early draft picks, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. The Zeke reunion has been in the works for weeks, but most people still expected the Cowboys to add at least one running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They ultimately didn't select one, leaving Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn as the competition behind Elliott and Dowdle. An undrafted free agent or two likely will be added to that mix, but it should still be a favorable situation for Elliott and Dowdle to earn playing time.
Unlock the latest Dallas Cowboys news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Rico Dowdle news
Rushing
Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DAL | 16 | 17 | 22 | 144 | 9 | 2 | 32 | 170 | 9 |
2023 Postseason Stats
ATT
RUSH YDS
RUSH TDS
REC
REC TDS
2
11
0
2
0
2023 Regular Season Stats
ATT
RUSH YDS
RUSH TDS
REC
REC TDS
89
361
2
17
2
|
Recent games
|
rushing
|
receiving
|
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
CAR
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
FD
|
REC
|
TGTS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TDS
|
LNG
|
YAC
|
|
Postseason
|
|||||||||||||||
|
1/14
|
L 32-48
|
2
|
11
|
5.5
|
0
|
9
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
14
|
7
|
0
|
10
|
13
|
|
|
Regular Season
|
|||||||||||||||
|
1/7
|
W
38-10
|
9
|
46
|
5.1
|
0
|
20
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
54
|
18
|
0
|
32
|
61
|
|
|
12/24
|
L
20-22
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
12/17
|
L
10-31
|
3
|
4
|
1.3
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
4
|
1
|
|
|
12/10
|
W
33-13
|
12
|
46
|
3.8
|
1
|
9
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
11/30
|
W
41-35
|
5
|
15
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
5
|
|
Team
Dallas Cowboys
Birthdate
6/14/1998 (25)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'0", 215 lbs
Birthplace
Asheville, NC, USA
Position
RB
College
South Carolina
Experience
5th season
Career History
Dallas Cowboys
2020-Present
(4 seasons)
It's the offseason! 😎
Check back next season for fresh
AI-powered projections.
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
The Cowboys are signing Ezekiel Elliott to join Dowdle in a backfield that otherwise lacks experienced players and early draft picks, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. The Zeke reunion has been in the works for weeks, but most people still expected the Cowboys to add at least one running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They ultimately didn't select one, leaving Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn as the competition behind Elliott and Dowdle. An undrafted free agent or two likely will be added to that mix, but it should still be a favorable situation for Elliott and Dowdle to earn playing time.
Dowdle is set to re-sign with the Cowboys, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. Following the free-agent departure of Tony Pollard, Dowdle is poised to reclaim his role in a Dallas backfield that also currently includes Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner. Chances are, the Cowboys will add further RB depth via free agency or the draft, so until the team's personnel at the position is settled, Dowdle's fantasy upside for the 2024 season will be difficult to gauge.
That he was still bothered by his ankle would serve as a reasonable explanation for his limited usage in Week 12, when he played just nine offensive snaps. It doesn't seem like he's in any real danger of missing Thursday's game versus the Seahawks, but if he can't practice in full Tuesday or Wednesday, he could project for another diminished workload in Week 13.
The Cowboys' No. 2 running back opened the scoring late in the first quarter to get the rout started. The TD was his third of the season, but the four total touches was his lowest volume since Week 9. Dowdle's role behind Tony Pollard limits his fantasy appeal, but his occasional red-zone usage gives him a chance to sneak in another score in Week 13 against a Seahawks defense that's given up 14 total touchdowns to RBs through 11 games.
Dowdle followed up DNPs on the Cowboys' first two Week 12 practice reports due to an ankle injury with a limited listing Wednesday, which gave the team enough confidence that he'll be able to hold up during Thursday's contest. Tony Pollard is Dallas' clear-cut top running back, but Dowdle has had an elevated role the last two games, turning 22 touches into 99 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD.
Dowdle, who was deemed a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, has been tending to the ankle injury since Week 11 prep. He took a questionable tag into last Sunday's game against the Panthers, but he ultimately suited up and played 10 snaps in Dallas' 33-10 win. If he's able to play once again Thursday, Dowdle should continue to operate as the top backup to Tony Pollard.