In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Cowboys have achieved a new franchise milestone with an impressive 19-game streak without a 100-yard rusher. This historic drought came to a near end when Rico Dowdle rushed for 87 yards on 20 carries in their recent triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a valiant effort that brought him agonizingly close to breaking the coveted century mark, a feat that has eluded Cowboys running backs for quite some time.
Dowdle’s remarkable performance has propelled him to the position of the team’s primary back, a role that initially began as a shared responsibility among multiple players. But amidst all the success and recognition, one burning question looms large: what is Ezekiel Elliott’s role on the team now?
Curiosity abounds, as even Elliott himself is grappling with uncertainty about his usage on the field. In a candid conversation with Clarence Hill of alldlls.com, Elliott expressed his bewilderment at the lack of opportunities he has had, especially in crucial goal-line and short-yardage situations. It’s a puzzling situation for someone of Elliott’s caliber and experience.
So far this season, Elliott’s playing time has been sporadic, with snap counts of 32, 28, 15, 10, and 23 in the five games played. His performance has yielded 30 carries for 98 yards and a lone touchdown, numbers that fall short of expectations for a player of his pedigree.
While Dowdle’s emergence has been a positive development for the Cowboys, another unexpected contributor has been fullback Hunter Luepke, who has seen an increased role in the team’s offensive schemes. Additionally, the team made a surprising decision to leave veteran back Dalvin Cook on the practice squad after signing him on August 29, opting not to utilize his services thus far.
The lingering questions surrounding Elliott’s role reached a boiling point when owner Jerry Jones was pressed on the matter following two crucial plays against the Steelers where Elliott was notably absent. Dowdle’s fumble on a goal-line carry only added fuel to the fire, sparking further speculation about when Cook might be called upon to fill the void.
As the Cowboys navigate through these uncharted waters, one thing remains clear – the running back situation in Dallas is far from settled, with more twists and turns likely to come as the season progresses. In the high-stakes world of professional football, adaptation and evolution are key, and the Cowboys will need to find the right balance in their backfield to achieve success on the field.
