The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard form an explosive and productive duo and were responsible for almost all the touches from the position in 2020.
Only one other RB got carry last season, rookie runner Rico Dowdle who toted the rock seven times for 24 yards. There weren’t many opportunities for anyone else, but the University of South Carolina product worked his way from an undrafted free agent to making the roster and playing in 15 games, mostly on special teams.
Dowdle came into training camp third on the depth chart and had played well enough to keep his spot. However, an injured hip has forced the Cowboys to put Dowdle in IR, ending his season.
A blow to the Cowboys’ RB depth: second-year standout Rico Dowdle has been placed on injured reserve. Out for year.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 25, 2021
It’s a hip injury for Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 25, 2021
It’s tough break for the Cowboys, who were likely to start the season with Elliott, Pollard and Dowdle as their top three backs again this year. Dowdle had shown enough in the preseason to earn that role, leading Dallas with 99 yards rushing in their three exhibitions games thus far.
Although it’s not a crushing blow to a team that has arguably the best one-two punch in the league at RB, the Cowboys will now be looking elsewhere to fill the RB room and their depth chart has taken another hit.
Dowdle became the second Cowboys RB to lose his season to injury, joining Sewo Olonilua, who was placed on season-ending IR with a neck injury last week. A group that had already been whittled down to three strong runners, will now be looking for a replacement for Dowdle.
The main options for the Cowboys now are two undrafted rookie free agents, JaQuan Hardy out of Tiffin, and Brenden Knox from Marshall. Both RBs have seen ample opportunities in the preseason and will have another game to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. Hardy has gotten more carries through three games, but there’s a lot riding in the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The extra exhibition game for Dallas is now a blessing in disguise for these two runners.
Or the team could go in a different direction, choosing to keep Louisiana-Lafayette fullback Nick Ralston, another undrafted rookie free agent.
There is also the option of a trade or sifting through waivers after teams cut their rosters down to 53 players next Tuesday. The Cowboys are only likely to keep three on the roster and they are doubtful to receive much playing time.
Losing Dowdle is another blow to a position for the Cowboys where they once had depth. Running back is still a strength for Dallas but they’ll have to find another option behind their two-headed monster.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi.
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