Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Has Rico Dowdle solved the Cowboys running back problem?
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys fans have been clamoring for a shiny new running back for nearly a year. From Derrick Henry to Ashton Jeanty, the list of names linked to Dallas has been extensive, but those lists have wrongfully counted Rico Dowdle out.

The Asheville, North Carolina native and former South Carolina Gamecock has been on a roll recently, and it may be enough to win him the job long-term.

Dalvin Cook, Deuce Vaughn, and Ezekiel Elliott have all taken a backseat to Dallas’ 2020 undrafted signing, and for good reason. He is blowing them all away in nearly every statistic for the Cowboys offense.

In the four games since Head Coach Mike McCarthy “officially” named him the starter, Dowdle has had at least 86 rushing yards in three of them, and he now has back-to-back 100-yard performances.

Is this recent stretch by Dowdle a mirage, or has he taken care of the Cowboys’ running back problem? Let’s discuss it.

Problem Solved: Dowdle’s Star Potential

In the early portion of this season, the lack of a running game was the biggest problem the Cowboys offense faced. Nobody was getting the job done, and the entire unit was floundering as a result.

Rico Dowdle has changed this tune, and Dallas has now scored at least 20 points in their last three games.

That might not seem impressive, but consider this: in three of their last four games before this stretch, the Cowboys failed to score more than 10 points.

Aside from the statistics, Dowdle is more than passing the eye test; he looks fast, explosive, strong, and he’s making defenders miss. Dowdle might just be blossoming into a multidimensional three-down back.

The Cowboys are noticing this, and they have started to trust it, as Dowdle has received 18 or more carries in three straight games and hasn’t been in single digits since October 13th.

Dallas’s running back by committee plan is gone: Rico Dowdle earned the job. The question now is will that carry over into a new contract, and the starting job in 2025.

Reason For Pause: Dowdle Has More To Prove

While this recent run by Dowdle has been impressive, it is important to note that the 26-year-old has a lot left to prove before we can crown him a top-tier running back. This is just the beginning of his high usage, and he needs to prove he can be consistent.

The little-known running back breaking out, just to disappear shortly thereafter, is a common story in the history of the NFL. We can’t ignore that Dowdle may fit into that history.

Despite his recent 5+ yards per rush average, Dowdle has only hit that mark in four of 12 games to this point.

He’s also suffered some low points, like fumbling twice this season, rushing for just 28 yards and 2.8 per carry to the Texans, and having his longest run be 10 yards or fewer in half of his games played.

Simply put, however, stuff like that happens. Dowdle isn’t Saquon Barkley, and with such a poor supporting cast offensively, perhaps even the Eagles All-Pro would struggle at times.

Dowdle has lots of room to go, and he is still a ways away from proving himself as a certified RB1. Whether he does that or keeps hitting speed bumps is important to see.

Rico Dowdle’s Bottom Line

The bottom line for Rico Dowdle is simple: he is the Cowboys’ best chance at the running back position, and he may become the long-term starter, but it’s far too early to say that for certain.

He needs to continue to prove himself before we can remove running back from the needs list.

Dallas’s running game is still far from the monster it used to be when Elliott was in his prime, and with Dak Prescott continuing to age, it should be a priority for the Cowboys to bring back an elite rushing attack.

If Dowdle can be the guy that does that, fantastic; if it takes resigning him and bringing in a more proven lead-back or a high draft pick, that’s just fine with me.

Either way, it is fair to say this kid has earned his place on the roster and the field. Dowdle needs a future with the Cowboys, regardless of who else they bring in at his position this offseason.

This article first appeared on Inside The Star and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Steelers News: Omar Khan Details Why George Pickens Was Traded to the Cowboys Despite 'Developing' Him Since 2022
NFL

Steelers News: Omar Khan Details Why George Pickens Was Traded to the Cowboys Despite 'Developing' Him Since 2022

Following his breakout year in 2023, George Pickens was expected to be the WR1 of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the foreseeable future. He had already justified the second-round draft capital that the franchise had initially invested in him, but there were growing concerns about Pickens’ lack of maturity. Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and even though he’s managed to produce a career total of 2,841 receiving yards throughout his first three seasons in the league, the Steelers were willing to let him go in exchange for nothing more than a 2026 third-round pick and a minuscule value swap with the Dallas Cowboys. While the team has since managed to replace Pickens’ service with that of D.K. Metcalf, fans and analysts alike are still questioning the decision. Thankfully, the self-titled host of The Rich Eisen made the most of his recent discussion with the team’s general manager, Omar Khan, by directly asking him “Why did George Pickens have to go despite developing him?” “I’ll just say, as we went through the offseason and the process, it just became evident that, for both sides, a fresh start was the best thing,” Khan explained. “It just made sense for both of us.” Suffice to say, Khan’s answer, while not very insightful, does suggest that Pickens’ relationships with various Pittsburgh personnel had become fractured beyond repair. Whether it was the Steelers or Pickens himself who was responsible for things not working out does not matter anymore, as Khan’s brief statement brings the entire saga to a somewhat definitive end. For one reason or another, it was no longer in either side’s best interest to continue working together, and that’s that. Much like the rest of his interview with Eisen, Khan and the rest of the Steelers’ organization is now moving forward. When Eisen noted that Pittsburgh’s trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey couldn’t have “happened over night,” Khan explained that it took “weeks” to finally get the deal done with the Miami Dolphins. Being sure to cover all of the high notes from the Steelers’ chaotic offseason, the seven-time Sports Emmy award nominee also inquired about T.J. Watt’s latest benchmark contract with the team. While he was unwilling to go into the “specifics of the numbers,” Khan did proclaim that, “I think it just reflects how we feel about him. It was important for me, and the organization, for T.J. to be a one-helmet Hall of Famer. It would be a great thing and hopefully there’s many, many more years to go with T.J., but it was just important. His numbers speak for themselves… As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better person.” At 6-foot-4 and 229-pounds, the aforementioned Metcalf is certainly capable of filling the Pickens-sized hole in Pittsburgh’s receiving core. Likewise, the addition of Ramsey along with their retaining of Watt will help to ensure that the defense is as stout as ever. The Steelers are going all in on the 2025 regular season with the hopes of discovering their first playoff win since January 15th of 2017 and it’s too late for them to turn back now. They’ll have to hope that they’ve made the right moves and prioritized the right signings. Otherwise they’ll risk wasting the final regular season of one of the most storied careers in all of NFL history.

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Paula Badosa hints at rocky relationship between ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas and father, Apostolos
Tennis

Paula Badosa hints at rocky relationship between ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas and father, Apostolos

Having been in an on and off relationship for over two years, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas are quite familiar with each other and their families. It comes as no surprise when the Spanish WTA star appeared to be in agreement with a statement by former player Ivan Ljubicic, where the Croat urged parents of tennis stars to focus less on tennis and more on raising their kids. The high-profile couple made their relationship public in May 2023, and were seen at each other's matches. A year later, they would take to social media to announce they had split ways, only to get back together three weeks later. Known for his volatility on the court, Tsitsipas would engage in a rather heated exchange with his father Apostolos during an opening round loss against Kei Nishikori at the 2024 Canadian Open. The elder Tsitsipas was acting as Stefanos coach at that point, and the Greek star would later take shots at his father in his post-match conference. However, Tsitsipas would later reveal he had apologized to his father soon after the incident. In an interview with SDNA, Tsitsipas stated both men had a long conversation, during which they aired their grievances and the former World No.3 admitted to apologizing to his dad. Badosa co-signs statement by Ljubicic "We discussed it, from my side I had to apologize because it was a big mistake on my part," said Tsitsipas to SDNA. "We have found a new line of communication and a way to talk to each other, so that such things don't happen again and such tensions don't arise again." Ivan Ljubicic, former player who would later coach Roger Federer during the tail end of his career, would chime in on the role of tennis parents, a day after Jannik Sinner dethroned Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. "Following last night, second note to parents: your role is CRUCIAL," said Ljubicic. "Your responsibility is to build independent, responsible, strong human beings. Let the professionals do their job, make sure they have all they need. I promise that this is the best formula." Soon after Tsitsipas' interview with SDNA was published, Badosa would return to Ljubicic's post and express her support. "Soooo good ", wrote the Spanish WTA star on Twitter. Although Badosa did not mention Apostolos specifically, the elder Tsitsipas has received backlash for being overbearing towards Stefanos.

Phoenix Suns make 'concrete' offer to Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga
NBA

Phoenix Suns make 'concrete' offer to Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga

The Phoenix Suns pursuit for Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga is reaching its final stages. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Phoenix and Sacramento Kings have made “concrete” offers to the 22-year-old. Kuminga hasn’t received much interest in restricted free agency but could still make the jump from the Warriors to a different team next season. Charania on Suns interest with Kuminga: “I’m told the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are two teams that have made concrete offers to the Warriors over the last week or so. They’re two of the most aggressive teams.” Reports have indicated that the Warriors want a first-round pick, a solid role player and no bad contracts. The Suns are lacking in first-round picks but have plenty of role players to offer in a sign-and-trade. Shooting guards Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale would have to be a part of any trade with Kuminga because of the former lottery pick’s high asking price. Allen makes nearly $17 million, while O’Neale cost around $10 million. The duo are some of the most effective shooters in the NBA and would be a perfect player to play off ball of superstar Stephen Curry. Phoenix has a surplus at shooting guard and wouldn’t lose much positional depth with the departure of the two backcourt players. In 2024-2025, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 45.4% shooting from the field. The turmoil between the young wing and head coach Steven Kerr boiled over after limited playing time in the playoffs. The DNPs that Kuminga racked up in the playoffs likely has hurt the value of him in free agency and in the trade market, which could help Phoenix in its pursuit.