Looking for an infusion of energy, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday the team will move forward with Rico Dowdle as the lead running back over Ezekiel Elliott.
The public declaration of moving on from the running-back-by-committee setup confirmed what already was evident, with Dowdle making seven starts this season to two for Elliott. The former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina also leads the team in carries (83) and yards rushing (374).
“Definitely, you have to get him the ball,” McCarthy told reporters about Dowdle. “That’s my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He’s the lead back.”
Without a rushing touchdown this season, Dowdle does have three receiving TDs on 24 catches for 166 yards.
It has been a rough season for the Cowboys, who are just 3-6 and on a four-game losing streak after Sunday’s 34-6 domination by the Philadelphia Eagles. Dowdle’s 53 yards rushing against the Eagles were more than the 45 yards passing from quarterback Cooper Rush on 23 attempts.
Dowdle, 26, is in his fourth NFL season, not counting 2021, which he missed with a hip injury. He was the third-string back in 2022 and was backup to Tony Pollard last season. Elliott, drafted by the Cowboys with the No. 4 overall pick in 2016, spent seven seasons with Dallas before signing a one-year free agent deal with the New England Patriots in 2023.
In his return to the Cowboys in 2024, the 29-year-old Elliott has just 171 yards on 54 carries with two touchdowns.
Dowdle has played in 44 career games since 2020 but did not make a start until this season. He has gained 759 yards rushing with two touchdowns on 179 carries and also has 41 career receptions for 310 yards and five TDs.
The Cowboys host the Houston Texans (6-4) on Monday.