The Cowboys are readying themselves for their seventh game of the season, but a key member of the coaching staff is only just now making his 2023 season debut. The team hopes his return comes just in time to help right a ship that’s gotten off to a somewhat disappointing start.
Running backs coach Jeff Blasko returned to the team during the bye week, head coach Mike McCarthy announced Wednesday, following a health-related personal leave of absence that began just prior to the Week 1 season opener. Week 8’s home date versus the Rams will mark the fourth-year assistant’s first game as RB coach.
Blasko’s duties had been shared by other members of the offensive coaching staff over the team’s four wins and two losses thus far, but the Cowboys run game has not lived up to preseason expectations.
Jeff Blasko has returned to the #Cowboys staff after a personal leave of absence. He will be on the field for practice today — per MM.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) October 25, 2023
Dallas currently ranks sixth leaguewide in rushing attempts per game (30.3), but only 10th in yards per contest (119.7) and a below-average 21st in yards-per-attempt (3.9).
Tony Pollard put up the third-best rushing day of his career (122 yards) in the Week 3 loss to Arizona, but it’s the only outing out of his past 12 where he topped 80 yards on the ground. His 370 total rushing yards place him just 15th across all backs.
He hasn’t gotten much help from his backfield mates. Only Rico Dowdle has compiled 100 rushing yards on the season, fullback Hunter Luepke has three total carries, and eagerly-anticipated rookie Deuce Vaughn has been rendered completely ineffective in his first 20 rushes as a pro.
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Blasko’s return to his normal duties will hopefully buoy the team’s ground attack, but he and his unit may have a tough time making a dramatic turnaround this week. The Rams currently give up just over 115 team rushing yards per game and allow 4.3 yards per attempt, numbers that put their run defense in the top half of the NFL.
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