Mike McCarthy delivers high praise for Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle after first career rushing TD

The Dallas Cowboys were able to showcase a bit more from second and third-string players on Sunday in the 49-17 victory over the Giants thanks to a huge early lead in the first half. Running back Rico Dowdle took full advantage of his snaps on Sunday, racking up a career-high 79 yards on 12 carries. The former South Carolina star also scored the first rushing touchdown of his career.

Dowdle’s hard running earned him high praise from Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The skipper may just consider upping his snap count next weekend when Dallas travels to face the Carolina Panthers.

“I love Rico’s run style. He runs so damn angry, it’s beautiful,” McCarthy said after the game. “That’s the young man we saw as a rookie. Some players do it, you go through an injury phase. Sometimes they have one or two things back-to-back. That’s really just his situation. You’re seeing a young man finally get some opportunities… I’ve always been high on Rico. It’s awesome to see him have some success.”

TOUCHDOWN‼️ Rico Dowdle! He’s the 6th #Cowboy player with a touchdown today.

49-10 #Dallaspic.twitter.com/fL1brnkK9a

— Cowboys Nation (@CowboyNationDAL) November 13, 2023

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. He suffered a hip fracture in the preseason. Prior to 2022, he also had a knee scope that kept him out of OTAs.

“It means a lot to get out there and get the opportunities to go out there and show what I can do,” Dowdle said post-game.

Dowdle finally shines for Dallas

A pending free agent this offseason, the Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal for $1.04 million in March to keep him in Dallas. Why sign a player with little production through four seasons? The Cowboys star QB explained exactly that after the win.

“Rico is a hard-nosed runner and has been since the time he showed up,” Dak Prescott told reporters on Sunday. “Obviously, he dealt with some injuries and adversity early in his career but to see him out there now, healthy, running physical, he’s a talented player.”

Although starting running back Tony Pollard still didn’t score on Sunday, the run game as a whole was dominant throughout the Week 10 matchup. Pollard, Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and even Dak Prescott contributed to the 168 yards gained against New York. The Cowboys are currently 12th in the league in total rushing yards this season.

“It starts with those guys up front,” Prescott said. “Their communication, us being on the same page, getting to the looks that we want, Mike (McCarthy) dialing it up and those guys running really, really hard, outside the tackles and then boom, being able to pierce it up the middle.”