OXNARD, Calif. — After Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard left for Tennessee, the Cowboys realized they needed answers at the position.
They resigned their once-rookie-phenom, Ezekiel Elliott, and brought in Royce Freeman to bolster an otherwise young running back room.
Given the makeup of the position group, they elected to take a "running back by committee" approach for 2024.
"Feels like everybody across the league kind of operates that way”, said running back coach Jeff Blasko, "We’re probably making too big of a deal of it”.
Either way, it’s the plan of attack they’ve used thus far through training camp. And that approach seems to have benefitted one guy in particular - Rico Dowdle.
The South Carolina alum, who was drafted by the Cowboys in 2020, has faced several injuries dating back to his playing days in college. After having a strong preseason last year, Dowdle once again had to battle the injury bug throughout the regular season.
But the 26-year-old feels primed for a breakout this season.
"Body feels good. Last year I felt the best, this year I feel better,” Dowdle said.
Given the fact that he’ll be operating in this "committee" approach, he won’t have to shoulder the load, or pressure, of being RB1. Throughout camp, he’s received plenty of reps with the ones and has used those opportunities to strengthen his relationship with Quarterback Dak Prescott.
The way he’s performed during his time in Oxnard has also caught the attention of Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
“Rico has picked up right where he left off. He runs hard. He’s proven to be a good player coming out of the backfield for us too,” McCarthy said.
If Dowdle can stay healthy for the entirety of 2024, he very well could be the theoretical chair of the committee of Cowboys running backs.
