Rico Dowdle: From Undrafted Talent to Lead Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys, a franchise synonymous with passion and pride, find themselves navigating a challenging season. With a current record of 3-6 and four consecutive losses, the team is feeling the weight of a disappointing campaign. However, amid the struggles, a silver lining has emerged in the form of Rico Dowdle, the undrafted running back from the University of South Carolina.
Despite the team's overall difficulties, Dowdle has stepped into the spotlight, earning his place as the Cowboys’ lead running back. "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities," asserted head coach Mike McCarthy, reflecting the confidence the coaching staff has in Dowdle’s abilities. "He's the lead back. I thought he had a really good first half [against the Eagles], and I think that's really illustrated by the attempts. Rico needs to touch the ball."
Dowdle's journey has not been without its hurdles. Injuries have dogged him, with one significant setback being a hip fracture two to three years ago. Yet, his determination and perseverance have brought him to this defining moment in his career. "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America's Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that," Dowdle expressed. "I take that with great pride. That's a good accomplishment coming from my situation, undrafted and all the adversity I've been through."
Rising to the Challenge
Dowdle’s ascent comes at a crucial time for the Cowboys. With key players like Dak Prescott sidelined for the season due to hamstring surgery and DaRon Bland out with a stress fracture, Dallas is striving to find a new rhythm. The team's previous running back, Tony Pollard, left for the Tennessee Titans, leaving a pressing void for Dowdle to fill.
His current stats underscore his contribution to the team: 374 rushing yards on 83 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and three receiving touchdowns this season. Dowdle’s career-high performance, achieved in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, boasted 87 rushing yards and a 22-yard receiving touchdown, putting a spotlight on his abilities to perform under pressure.
The Cowboys, however, face a daunting challenge as their average of 83.7 rushing yards per game ranks as the second-fewest in the league. This stark statistic highlights the need for Dowdle to consistently perform at a high level. "The committee approach was something that wasn't working for us, so I stood firm on wanting to find that rhythm since the beginning," Dowdle noted. "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."
An Integral Role in a Rebuilding Team
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Houston Texans, who boast the 11th-ranked run defense in the league, Dowdle’s role becomes even more critical. The team's offensive line is in transition, with rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe being integrated, while the defensive line remains thin. This paints a picture of a franchise in flux, relying heavily on its emerging stars.
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush has also lauded Dowdle's contributions, citing his consistency and resilience. "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," said Rush, echoing the sentiments of the coaching staff and fans alike.
Despite the many challenges Rico Dowdle has faced, his commitment to remaining in peak condition has paid dividends. "Yeah, for sure, in my past, it was all about the injuries and things like that, but now I feel that I've got my body in the best shape and best position possible for me," Dowdle remarked. "So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency."
As the Cowboys navigate the remainder of their season, the narrative of Rico Dowdle serves as a testament to resilience and the potential of an underdog. Just as he rises to the occasion, the Cowboys hope to find their rhythm and turn the tide in a season fraught with challenges.