Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has started to lose his grasp on the top role in the team's backfield. "Elliott is being viewed as the leader of the [running back] room, but it is already beginning to look like a committee approach as he and Rico Dowdle split nearly all of the first-team reps on Wednesday," wrote Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. This will be an important competition to watch as offseason programs unfold and both Elliott and Dowdle compete for more opportunities. Elliott, of course, has spent most of his career with the Cowboys but did join the Patriots for the 2023 season. He's not getting any younger, but Dallas still values his experience and pass-catching skills, both of which could boost his fantasy value down the stretch. Dowdle has youth on his side, though, and it sounds like there's a real chance he could push to earn just as many touches as Elliott.

From RotoBaller

The Dallas Cowboys are re-signing running back Rico Dowdle to an undisclosed deal on Monday. With Tony Pollard moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, Dowdle is now No. 1 on the Cowboys' RB depth chart, for now. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina entered the league in 2020 with the Cowboys and has just 96 carries for 385 yards and two rushing touchdowns in his three NFL seasons, adding 17 receptions (22 targets) for 144 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. Eighty nine of his career carries came in 2023, when he rushed for 361 yards and two TDs in 16 regular-season contests. Depending on what Dallas does at the position in the upcoming NFL draft, Dowdle could see a substantial role increase in his fourth NFL campaign.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle probably would have seen a lot more work if Sunday's blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers occurred in the regular season, but he only saw four touches (two carries, two catches) for 25 scrimmage yards in the 48-32 wild-card loss. It was a disappointing finish for Dowdle and the Cowboys after they secured the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed for the postseason, but it nevertheless ended in another quick playoff exit. Dowdle had 100 scrimmage yards in the Week 18 regular season finale and had by far the best year of his career in his third season with Dallas, rushing for 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries in 16 regular season games. He also had 17 catches for 144 yards and two more TDs. The 25-year-old will be a free agent this March and could land in a situation that gives him more access to playing time if he can stay healthy.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle got a little extra playing time in a big Week 18 win over the Washington Commanders. Dowdle ran the ball nine times, gaining 46 yards. He was targeted four times in the passing game, making three catches for 54 yards, including a big play in which he caught a pass for a 32-yard gain. With the Cowboys fully in charge of the game, the backups got a little time to play and Dowdle made the most of it. He's a solid backup and at times this season looked better than starter Tony Pollard, but Pollard was ultimately able to fight him off and keep the Dallas depth chart as it was.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) was a full participant during Friday's practice session. Dowdle began the week with a limited practice session, but was able to practice in full on Thursday and Friday. That being said, Dowdle should be out there for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. He figures to operate as the primary backup to Tony Pollard in the backfield. There won't be a ton of streaming appeal here, so fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday. Dowdle has been dealing with an ankle bruise for several weeks now, and he needed to miss his first game of the season in last Saturday's Week 17 win over the Detroit Lions. Thursday's full session should allow the 25-year-old to return to his change-of-pace role behind Tony Pollard out of Dallas' backfield, however, for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders without an injury designation on Friday's report. Dowdle has tallied four total touchdowns this season, collecting 80 carries for 315 yards and 14 catches for 90 yards in 15 games, and Deuce Vaughn (ankle) is on injured reserve. The Cowboys are nearly two-touchdown favorites in Week 18, so more work could head Dowdle's way if they form a substantial lead while on the prowl for the NFC East crown.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) got in a limited practice on Wednesday ahead of his team's Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Dowdle has been nursing an ankle injury for weeks, an issue which forced him to miss Week 17's win over the Detroit Lions. Dowdle's ability to get on the practice field on Wednesday is a promising development, although he will have to make it through the remainder of the week. If active, Dowdle will serve as the backup to Tony Pollard. If Dowdle doesn't play, the Cowboys would probably have to make a practice squad move as Deuce Vaughn (ankle) landed on injured reserve earlier in the week with an ankle injury of his own.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) didn't practice with the team on Wednesday or Thursday and has officially been ruled out for Saturday night's Week 17 contest versus the visiting Detroit Lions. With Dowdle out, rookie Deuce Vaughn will have an expanded role as a change-of-pace option to starter Tony Pollard in Dallas' backfield this weekend. Dowdle is averaging 3.9 yards per carry on a career-high 315 rushing attempts in his third NFL season with Dallas this year, but he just hasn't had enough touches to give him standalone fantasy value as the Cowboys' backup. Pollard could have a slightly bigger role in Week 17 with Dowdle sidelined, but he should be considered a midrange RB2 in fantasy in a bad matchup.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. Dowdle was downgraded after practicing on a limited basis on Tuesday, which is never a great sign as the Cowboys prepare to face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 17's Saturday night game. If Dowdle ultimately doesn't end up playing on Saturday, look for Deuce Vaughn to be active as the backup to Tony Pollard.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) was limited on Tuesday. Dowdle has been managing his ankle injury for several weeks now, although he has been able to play through the issue. With the Cowboys set to face off against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, Dowdle will still have a few more days of practice to get upgraded before the team takes the field. That being said, he hasn't been seeing much work as the RB2 behind starter Tony Pollard of late. If Dowdle were to be a surprise inactive on Saturday, the Cowboys would likely turn to Deuce Vaughn as the change-of-pace back behind Pollard.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle touched the ball just twice in a Week 16 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Dowdle ran the ball twice, gaining a total of four yards. He was targeted twice in the passing game but was unable to make either catch. It was a disappointing game for the Cowboys rushing attack in general, as starter Tony Pollard only went for 12-38-0. Dowdle flashed a bit earlier in the year, but he's settled back in as little more than a backup and occasional change-of-pace option. He's not worth a start next week against the Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. Dowdle's practice reps have been capped for sixth weeks in a row due to an ankle injury, but he has yet to miss a single game for the Cowboys this year. Assuming a similar trajectory awaits him for Week 16, it's fair to expect Dowdle to be active on Sunday evening for a potential Super Bowl preview against the Miami Dolphins. The 25-year-old runner has very scant standalone fantasy value, and his handcuff upside behind starter Tony Pollard is dwindling with such little time left on the 2023 calendar for fantasy purposes. Overall, Dowdle has amassed 311 rushing yards and 14 catches for 90 yards with two touchdowns apiece through the air and on the ground, and he remains an end-of-bench stash for Pollard's managers in the playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) can't manage to escape the injury report due to an ankle injury that kept him limited in practice on Wednesday. It's not an injury serious enough to cause him to miss any games, though, so he should be expected to play this Sunday in a big game on the road against the Miami Dolphins. The 25-year-old is averaging just under 4.0 yards per carry on the year but has had too limited of a role in Dallas' backfield to give him any real fantasy appeal besides being a handcuff to Pollard. Dowdle has seen double-digit carries just twice in 14 games in 2023 and had only three carries for four yards while catching two passes for eight yards in last week's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. Continue to ignore Dowdle in Week 16.

From RotoBaller