Of everything that has gone wrong with the Dallas Cowboys this season, the running back discourse has been especially aggravating.
Even franchise legend Troy Aikman joined the conversation. While calling a Ravens-Buccaneers game for ESPN, Aikman subtly called out the Cowboys for not signing Derrick Henry, who is well on his way to adding a third rushing title to his Hall of Fame resume.
While Dallas blew it by snubbing Henry, the discussion of the Cowboys needing a RB this offseason was overblown. They already had a quality back on the roster in Rico Dowdle, who has come on strong the last two games with 128 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry.
Despite Dowdle's success, the team has not been able to quit Ezekiel Elliott, who's ranks near the bottom of the NFL in most rushing metrics. It only took nine games, but common sense has finally prevailed for Mike McCarthy, who declared Dowdle as Dallas' lead back.
Cowboys declare Rico Dowdle as RB1, effectively bench Ezekiel Elliott
RICO ➡️ RB1
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) November 14, 2024
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle has carried the ball 60 times in the last five games. He has mentioned before how continuously getting carries throughout a game makes him better:
“I’ve stood on firm on that since the beginning. As the game goes and the touches go up, I tend… pic.twitter.com/Diuunc0dVD
If you can't remember a public acknowledgement of Dowdle being RB1, that's because there hasn't been. McCarthy has stated previously that Dowdle needs to touch the ball more, but it hasn't manifested in the box score.
Elliott played more snaps than Dowdle in Weeks 1 and 2. Dowdle took a commanding lead the next two games, but Hunter Luepke and Deuce Vaughn got some run. In Week 5, Dowdle had the backfield all to himself in a breakout game against the Steelers, but Zeke played more snaps the following week.
Cowboys fans will remember Dowdle was a late scratch in Week 8 due to an illness that cropped up hours before kickoff vs. the 49ers.
Elliott didn't travel with the team in Week 9 due to disciplinary reasons, but he logged six carries in last week's loss to the Eagles compared to Dowdle's 12 carries. Let's not forget Elliott got the goal line carries, too, even after fumbling on Philly's doorstep.
READ MORE: Cowboys make most indefensible Ezekiel Elliott decision yet vs. Eagles
If the Cowboys are serious about "promoting" Dowdle to RB1, he should see no fewer than 15 attempts per game from this point forward.
While notable, it is laughable that it took the Cowboys 10 weeks to appoint Dowdle as their lead rusher. Fans have shouted from the rooftops since training camp that Dowdle is the best running back on the roster, but Dowdle has actually been among the most efficient RBs in the league.
The 26-year-old is eighth among running backs with a 55.2% rushing success rate. His 4.5 yards per carry behind an inconsistent offensive line is nothing to sneeze at, either.
If there is an ounce of truth to this declaration, Elliott will only see the field moving forward if Dowdle taps his helmet for a breather, if at all.