It really isn't that surprising that the Dallas Cowboys are what they are. They let a ton of talent walk out of the building in the offseason and only used the NFL Draft to replenish the roster. Injuries have obviously taken a toll, but the running back discourse has taken on a life of its own.
The continued usage of Ezekiel Elliott has been a point of contention and it reached a boiling point in last week's loss to the Eagles.
Benched in Week 9 after he missed another team meeting, Elliott was rewarded by receiving a carry on 1st-and-goal to punctuate a drive that Rico Dowdle dominated. Elliott fumbled into the end zone for an Eagles recovery and a touchback.
Micah Parsons erased the turnover with a strip-sack of Jalen Hurts, but Cowboys fans hoped the fumble would be Elliott's final touch in a Dallas uniform. Well, we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but Elliott will play Monday night against the Houston Texans.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will play Week 11 vs. the Texans
While Elliott wasn't on the injury report, many pondered if he would be a healthy scratch. The Cowboys finally announced this week that Dowdle is their lead running back.
There is no more RB committee in Dallas. Rico Dowdle is the Cowboys lead back, per @RapSheet
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 14, 2024
“That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back.”
- Mike McCarthy pic.twitter.com/LSnbVLQGeh
What that means for Elliott's workload will be revealed Monday night, but it likely means Mike McCarthy will ride Dowdle for around 15-20 touches. Dowdle has rushed for 128 yards on 5.3 yards per carry over the last two games. He's only had 24 carries. That isn't enough.
READ MORE: New angle of blown Ezekiel Elliott run proves the Cowboys should cut him
Since training camp, Cowboys fans have screamed from the hilltop that Rico Dowdle is the best running back on the roster. A restricted free agent in 2024, Dowdle was brought back on a one-year deal and his performance this season has justified an extension.
Dowdle is averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the season and his 55.4% rushing success rate ranks eighth among running backs.
Any hope that Elliott would get benched or cut ended on the Cowboys' very next offensive snap following his fumble vs. the Eagles.
The team called an inside handoff to Zeke in the red zone. For whatever reason - likely his relationship with ownership and the front office - Elliott is not held to the same standard as the rest of the roster in terms of accountability.
It's sad that it took Dallas nine games to officially promote Dowdle. Any touch Elliott receivers from this point forward is a waste of time.