Rico Dowdle's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Dallas Cowboys running back Royce Freeman (groin) might remain out of practice on Tuesday, and Deuce Vaughn (hamstring) likely won't practice either, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. It adds fuel to the breakout case for late-round sleeper Rico Dowdle, who "has been the face of the committee and could be the lead guy during the season. In practices, he's had solid showings in pass protection, flashed receiving ability, and gotten the call to run in high-leverage situations." Starter Ezekiel Elliott remains the best bet for touches and the favorite to lead the Cowboys in carries this year as the incumbent veteran during the early stages of the season, but the speedier Dowdle has stood out at training camp and could push him for work in Dallas' backfield this fall. Sunday's preseason opener against the hosting Los Angeles Rams should offer fantasy managers a clearer picture on the hierarchy here.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has been a popular fantasy football sleeper this offseason after the departure of Tony Pollard. The team brought back Ezekiel Elliott, and many assume Dowdle and Elliott will split backfield duties in 2024. However, in a radio interview, Cowboys executive Stephen Jones suggested that Royce Freeman is likely to make the roster, while Dowdle and Malik Davis could be competing to be the third active running back in the regular season. [Freeman will] be a good addition and great complement to (Ezekiel Elliott)," Jones said. "And then we'll let these young guys between (Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis) and those guys battle it out." It's too early to draw any conclusions, but this is not a great look for Dowdle, who rushed 89 times for 361 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.

The Dallas Cowboys are re-signing running back Rico Dowdle to an undisclosed deal on Monday. With Tony Pollard moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, Dowdle is now No. 1 on the Cowboys' RB depth chart, for now. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina entered the league in 2020 with the Cowboys and has just 96 carries for 385 yards and two rushing touchdowns in his three NFL seasons, adding 17 receptions (22 targets) for 144 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. Eighty nine of his career carries came in 2023, when he rushed for 361 yards and two TDs in 16 regular-season contests. Depending on what Dallas does at the position in the upcoming NFL draft, Dowdle could see a substantial role increase in his fourth NFL campaign.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle probably would have seen a lot more work if Sunday's blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers occurred in the regular season, but he only saw four touches (two carries, two catches) for 25 scrimmage yards in the 48-32 wild-card loss. It was a disappointing finish for Dowdle and the Cowboys after they secured the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed for the postseason, but it nevertheless ended in another quick playoff exit. Dowdle had 100 scrimmage yards in the Week 18 regular season finale and had by far the best year of his career in his third season with Dallas, rushing for 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries in 16 regular season games. He also had 17 catches for 144 yards and two more TDs. The 25-year-old will be a free agent this March and could land in a situation that gives him more access to playing time if he can stay healthy.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle got a little extra playing time in a big Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders. Dowdle ran the ball nine times, gaining 46 yards. He was targeted four times in the passing game, making three catches for 54 yards, including a big play in which he caught a pass for a 32-yard gain. With the Cowboys fully in charge of the game, the backups got a little time to play and Dowdle made the most of it. He's a solid backup and at times this season looked better than starter Tony Pollard, but Pollard was ultimately able to fight him off and keep the Dallas depth chart as it was.