Dowdle logged 15 fewer carries and three less targets than backfield mate Tony Pollard, and the former did little with his opportunities. The third-year pro has been quiet over the last three games after his season-best 12-79-1 rushing day against the Giants in Week 10, with Dowdle netting just 49 yards on 16 carries and posting a 4-19-1 line through the air in the subsequent trio of contests. Dowdle figures to continue operating in a clear No. 2 role when the Cowboys do battle against a virtually impenetrable Eagles run defense in a Week 14 Sunday night home showdown on Dec. 10.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Rico Dowdle news
Rushing
Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DAL | 12 | 11 | 12 | 76 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 102 | 6 |
Dowdle logged 15 fewer carries and three less targets than backfield mate Tony Pollard, and the former did little with his opportunities. The third-year pro has been quiet over the last three games after his season-best 12-79-1 rushing day against the Giants in Week 10, with Dowdle netting just 49 yards on 16 carries and posting a 4-19-1 line through the air in the subsequent trio of contests. Dowdle figures to continue operating in a clear No. 2 role when the Cowboys do battle against a virtually impenetrable Eagles run defense in a Week 14 Sunday night home showdown on Dec. 10.
For a second consecutive week, Dowdle is tending to an ankle injury, only this time he took part in more on-field work, as evidenced by his ability to practice fully Wednesday. He's thus set to resume his complementary role behind the Cowboys' No. 1 running back, Tony Pollard, which has amounted to 35 touches for 158 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in five games since the team's Week 7 bye.
Dowdle has had his reps capped for the second day in a row, but after the running back experienced no reported setbacks in the team's Thanksgiving Day win over the Commanders, he'll most likely be available for a second consecutive Thursday game against the Seahawks this week. While serving as the top complement to lead back Tony Pollard in the 45-10 win over Washington, Dowdle carried three times for 11 yards and turned his lone target into a 15-yard touchdown reception.
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 approaches the contest officially listed as questionable, but per Rappaport, the running back is trending toward being available to work in a complementary role Thursday behind top back Tony Pollard. Either way, confirmation of Dowdle's Week 12 status will arrive once the Cowboys' inactives are posted ahead of the team's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
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.
After not holding practice Monday, the Cowboys got back on the field Tuesday, but Dowdle remained absent from drills. He thus will have just one more chance to put himself in a position to be available to Dallas' backfield for Thursday's game against the Commanders. If Dowdle is limited or out Week 12, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke and potentially practice-squad member Malik Davis would be the candidates for RB touches behind starter Tony Pollard.
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
4th season
Career History
Dallas Cowboys
2020 - Present
(4 seasons)
Previous Game
41
Final
35
15
YDS
3
AVG
0
TD
2023 Season Stats
ATT
RUSH YDS
RUSH TDS
REC
REC TDS
63
261
1
11
2
|
Recent Games
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rushing
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receiving
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
CAR
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
FD
|
REC
|
TGTS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TDS
|
LNG
|
YAC
|
|
11/30
|
W 41-35
|
5
|
15
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
11/23
|
W 45-10
|
3
|
11
|
3.7
|
0
|
7
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
15
|
15
|
1
|
15
|
18
|
|
|
11/19
|
W 33-10
|
8
|
23
|
2.9
|
0
|
11
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
-3
|
-1.5
|
0
|
-1
|
4
|
|
|
11/12
|
W 49-17
|
12
|
79
|
6.6
|
1
|
21
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
11/5
|
L 23-28
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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