]

Breaking News: The Surprising Reason Why The Cowboys Finally Decided To Bench Ezekiel Elliott?

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.

It sure sounds like the Cowboys have finally benched Ezekiel Elliott

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.

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.

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.

Related Posts

Buccaneers’ David Walker does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Buccaneers’ David Walker Shocks NFL With Humanitarian Action Related to Tragic Plane Crash in India While the American football world is focused on the NFL preseason, a…

Buffalo Bills’ Landon Jackson does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Landon Jackson – the rising young defensive end of the Buffalo Bills – has just made a touching gesture that has deeply touched the entire NFL community….

BREAKING: Travis Kelce loses 25 pounds after stressful NFL season amid criticism of weight gain.

Travis Kelce shed 25 pounds in preparation for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season after he was dragged for his “dad bod.” ESPN personality Jeremy Fowler revealed that…

UPDATE: Should the Buccaneers erect a statue to honor Tom Brady after his legendary legacy?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never had a player quite like Tom Brady. The franchise, once defined by mediocrity and missed playoff chances, was transformed the moment Brady signed…

BREAKING: 2 Buffalo Bills at risk of cuts after 2025 training camp.

The Buffalo Bills are once again aiming high in 2025. They have a roster built to contend and a franchise quarterback locked in for the long haul. However, with…

BREAKING: Rashee Rice dodges Chiefs’ biggest question as he heaps praise on the offense.

After failing to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions last season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get…