Mike McCarthy shares plan for Rico Dowdle following running back's breakout game

The breakout performance by running back Rico Dowdle in Week 10 has fans calling for more of No. 23 on game days. This weekend, as the Cowboys take on the one-win Carolina Panthers, presents a perfect opportunity for the backup ball carrier to get more snaps. Head coach Mike McCarthy, while thrilled with Dowdle’s progress lately, wouldn’t commit to changing up the snap counts too much for Week 11.

“We’ll see how the game goes,” McCarthy said Thursday, via Jon Machota. “I’m thrilled to death with the way Rico’s playing. I think we do an excellent job of ball distribution.”

Last weekend, Dowdle posted a career-high 79 yards on 12 carries in the win against the Giants. The former South Carolina star also scored the first rushing touchdown of his career. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard had 15 carries for 55 yards and, once again, no touchdowns.

As much as McCarthy would like to split the load between the first and second-string backs, the skipper told reporters on Thursday that his focus is still on the franchise-tagged RB.

“We’ll see how the game goes,” McCarthy repeated. “The game dictates that. I have no problem with Rico getting more carries. That would be great. But also my focus is Tony Pollard as far as the primary ball carrier.”

Jerry Jones loving the 1-2 punch of Pollard-Dowdle

Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones expressed his delight in Dowdle’s breakout game on Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan.

“He’s a violent runner,” Jones said. “He runs with great skill… I’m so proud for him. He’s finally put together the running back he can be. He’s outstanding. It just really gives us a 1-2 punch in there.”

Dowdle, a former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, didn’t record a snap for Dallas last season. However, in 2020, he had seven carries within 15 game appearances. During the 2021 season, the Cowboys had to place the running back on injured reserve due to a hip fracture he suffered in the preseason. Then, prior to the 2022 season, he also had a knee scope that kept him out of OTAs.

Discussing his running style this week, Dowdle had a hard time describing it. However, he does know it works well with Tony Pollard’s.

“All of us in the backfield are different backs, and [Tony and I] both have potential to break big plays,” Dowdle said. “We complement [each other] real well.”

“I’m just me,” he added. “I’ve got it all… It’s something I’ve always put pride [into] — being a physical back, a strong runner downhill that goes north and south. I also have the ability to make guys miss in space as well.”

The Cowboys take on the Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Carolina is allowing just above 130 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks in the bottom 10 in the league.