The Dallas Cowboys have ranked dead last in rushing yards per game and total rushing yards until this past week, when running back Rico Dowdle stepped up with 20 rushes for a career-high 87 yards plus a touchdown in their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. That game moved them up to…second-to-last, in front of the New York Jets.
While it became even clearer that Dowdle is the lead running back for the Cowboys, it’s been clear for a while now that Dallas’ committee approach isn’t working, and that bringing back Ezekiel Elliott was a terrible decision.
Zeke’s time is up (and has been for a while)
Dowdle already established himself as the lead running back in the last two games, but after Sunday’s performance, you have to wonder why they even keep Elliott on the field at all. He finished the game with just six carries for 17 yards.
While Dowdle and fullback Hunter Luepke saw the most touches during Dallas’ game-winning drive, Elliott only contributed one touch on a 3rd and 1 conversion.
During their 90-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, Dowdle saw eight touches, including his 22-yard touchdown catch. In that same drive, Elliott didn’t see a single touch.
It was a mystery to me (and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone) why the Cowboys brought Zeke back in the first place. He hasn’t been an elite running back since 2019, and there was zero reason to think that this year would be different.
They held him out of all the preseason games as a starter without him ever having to do a thing to prove he deserved that spot. And now, here we are.
Dalvin Cook – will he start Week 6?
With all that being said, will Jerry Jones finally elevate veteran Dalvin Cook from the practice squad this week? Fans have been calling on him to do so for weeks.
Cooks was signed to the practice squad in August, and it was expected that he’d be elevated to the active roster if Dallas struggled to get their run game going. Well, they most certainly struggled, and Jones has found excuses not to elevate him week after week.
Until their Week 5 game when Dowdle’s longest run was 13 yards, the Cowboys hadn’t seen any of their running backs rush for more than 10 yards in a game. Through five games, they have combined for 410 yards on 116 attempts.
While Cook is not the elite back he once was, his four Pro Bowl nods and years of experience do give him some value, and the Cowboys should really be willing to at least try it and see how he fits on the team. For his part, Cook is ready to go when the time comes (which hopefully will be soon).
“I’m not frustrated. I’m thankful for the opportunity, to be honest,” said Cook. “I’m around a bunch of great people. I’m just trying to get better and get my feet back under me. Just keep my head down and keep working…It’s been different. It’s been humbling.
As far as football, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play. My time will come.”
The Cowboys will face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 13, which will be their last game before their Week 7 bye week, and Cook’s last chance to make it onto the active roster before then.
Regardless of whether or not he plays on Sunday, AS USA will be bringing you all the action with our live text coverage and commentary of the game, brought to you by yours truly.
