Rico Dowdle's Rise: From Undrafted to Leading the Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are navigating a challenging season with a 3-6 record and a four-game losing streak. Amidst this struggle, a remarkable story of resilience and talent has emerged in the form of Rico Dowdle. An undrafted free agent from the University of South Carolina, Dowdle is now the starting running back for one of the most storied franchises in NFL history—America's Team.
Dowdle's journey to starting running back has been anything but easy. Burdened by injuries early in his career, including a significant hip injury two to three years ago, Dowdle’s path to success required determination and grit. "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America's Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that," Dowdle shared. "That [injuries] was one of my things that was hindering me, I guess when I broke my hip… Definitely gratifying. I've always had confidence that I would be able to go out there and get the job done."
This confidence has been justified by his performances on the field. Dowdle has accumulated 374 rushing yards on 83 carries, averaging an impressive 4.5 yards per carry, alongside three receiving touchdowns this season. His career-high performance came in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he achieved 87 rushing yards and a 22-yard receiving touchdown.
A New Era in Dallas' Backfield
The departure of Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans opened the door for Dowdle, and Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy has placed his trust in the young back. "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back," McCarthy emphasized. "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."
Despite the trust and opportunities, the Cowboys have faced challenges in establishing their ground game, averaging just 83.7 rushing yards per game, the second-fewest in the league. The lack of depth on the defensive line and injuries to key players such as quarterback Dak Prescott, who is sidelined for the season after undergoing hamstring surgery, and DaRon Bland, out with a stress fracture, have added to the team's woes.
Yet Dowdle's consistency offers a beacon of hope. "Yeah, Rico's running hard. He's running fast, running hard," backup quarterback Cooper Rush noted. "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."
Building Towards Rhythm
The Cowboys' offensive approach has shifted towards finding a rhythm, especially in their running game. The team previously employed a committee approach in the backfield, which Dowdle felt was not producing the desired results. "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 explained. "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."
As Dallas prepares to face the Houston Texans, whose run defense ranks 11th in the league, Dowdle is poised at the center of their offensive strategy. In a season marred by challenges, Dowdle's rise underscores the potential for success against the odds, a testament to his perseverance and talent.
His leadership and dedication to rehabilitating his body after past injuries have been central to his current success. "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. So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency," Dowdle affirmed.
As the Cowboys look to break their losing streak, the ball, quite literally, is now in Rico Dowdle's hands. As he continues to defy expectations, both for himself and his team, his journey remains a compelling storyline in a season full of unpredictabilities.