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Jerry Jones
A blow to the backfield of the Dallas Cowboys.
The team announced on wednesday that backup running back, well-weighted Rico Dowdle, will be put on injured reserve with a hip injury, ending his season.
NFL rules state that players cannot play year-round if they are not on the final roster of 53 players even one day before going on injured reserve. Dallas is slated to shorten its roster from 80 to 53 players on Aug. 31.
To reach the current player limit, the Cowboys fired kicker Liram Hajrullahu on Tuesday after sending out four players – catcher CeeDee Lamb, safeties Malik Hooker and Israel Mukuamu, and defensive end Carlos Watkins. to the reserve list / Covid-19.
Information about Dowdle
The 6-foot, 215-pound running back joined the Cowboys in 2020 as a free agent from the University of South Carolina. He played in fifteen games as a rookie, mostly on special teams, racking up seven carries for 24 yards.
Dowdle returned this year as the supposed third running back option, behind Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard. He seemed to have the position assured as he leads the team in carries (24) and yards (99) – and also has 26 yards through the air product of four receptions – in three preseason games.
“He takes the ball and he seems to be running a hundred miles an hour, but I think the most important thing he’s done during the preseason and all of last year is that he has improved how he protects the quarterback on passing plays, which people don’t. he recognizes, and his passing game, ”said Kellen Moore, the team’s offensive coordinator, on Aug. 19, via reporter Brianna Dix.
His best performance this summer came in a loss to Pittsburgh in the Hall of Fame game. In that game, the 23-year-old averaged 5.4 yards per carry, including a great 25-yard rush, and also had a reception that was highlighted by the official Cowboys site.
What is it about the Steelers that makes Rico Dowdle the best of him? He had a great kickoff return last year against Pittsburgh, and on Thursday night he led the team with 43 yards on eight carries. But, for me, his best play was a 12-yard reception down the middle. It was formed by the right and ended up catching the ball in the center of the field. That makes me think Kellen Moore plans to use Zeke and / or Tony Pollard on more such plays. And while Dowdle did a good job there, with the first two running backs there could be even better plays.
Looking forward
Although this is very bad news for Dowdle, there is no doubt that the Cowboys will be able to deal with that loss. Elliot, highly motivated after having his worst season in 2020, will undoubtedly be the beast of burden, while Pollard will be heavily involved in the passing game.
“It’s hard. It will be a challenge for him, ”Elliot said about Dowdle’s injury, according to Dix. “He took great strides during his rookie season and I think he should be proud of that.
Behind the big two on the running list are rookies Brendan Knox and JaQuan Hardy, who became famous thanks to a short segment on Hard Knocks. As it was expected, Todd Archer, de ESPN, believes the Cowboys need a third running back with some skill to play on special teams.
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This is the original version of Heavy.com por Zack Kelberman
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