Rico Dowdle, an undrafted, 26-year-old running back, functioned as the Cowboys No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard in 2023 at the age of 25, but in 2024, there's the chance he may end up leading Dallas in carries in the regular season.

"Definitely, he's had a good off season, looks great," HC Mike McCarthy said at Cowboys OTAs on May 30. "You know, I think just like anytime these guys have a chance to really hone in their training. So, Rico's done an excellent job there. Very comfortable [with him]. He's very, very bright, very instinctive football player. So, he's definitely one of the the lead lead guys in the room as far as his experience here, but also his understanding of the offense."

Related players: Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn

Dowdle was listed among five potential Cowboys breakout candidates for this coming season. Dowdle compared his running style to Elliott's, just smaller in size, and he believes he is more of an all-around RB. In the story, Elliott said he views himself as a starter but also wants to keep himself fresh for a stretch run and potential playoff run, meaning Dowdle could get significant work in the offense. The Cowboys RB situation is just one of many things to keep an eye on this offseason.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms, pending a physical that will bring the multi-time former Pro Bowler back, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman

While we figure that Elliott will be part of a rotation this season, it's hard to imagine the team went through the NFL Draft without selecting an option just to grab their former RB1 and keep him on the bench. If you're targeting a back on the Cowboys, it should be Elliott, but it may be better to take a wait-and-see approach over the next few months.

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

The Dallas Cowboys and RB Rico Dowdle have agreed to terms on a one-year deal to bring him back in 2024, the team can confirm.

Dowdle will be Dallas’ leading returning rusher after running for 361 yards last season in his first season in a prominent role.

Related Players: Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner

As the depth start stands, Dowdle might be the best value on the board in current best ball drafts. Though the team is likely to add another piece in the NFL Draft, Dowdle is very much on fantasy radars here in March.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on 1053thefan on rookie RB Deuce Vaughn getting an opportunity Saturday night with No. 2 RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) being out: “Deuce will be up this weekend. We got a plan and looking forward to it.”

Related Players: Tony Pollard

Dowdle had seen some increased usage over the back half of the season, but we probably shouldn't expect the 5'5", 176-pound rookie back to be eating into Pollard's workload too much. Vaughn has carried the ball 21 times for 38 yards (1.8/att.) to this point in the season.

Cowboys have released RB Ronald Jones, they announced.

Related players: Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

There were reports of this leading into Week 2. Jones was suspended for the first two weeks of the season but was able to come back today. However, the Cowboys are set up pretty good at RB with Pollard as the starter and youngsters like Dowdle and Vaughn as a supporting cast. Jones is still 26-years-old himself, and could provide depth on another roster at some point.

Cowboys waived RB Malik Davis, a person familiar with the decision said.

Related players: Rico Dowdle, Tony Pollard, Deuce Vaughn, Ronald Jones

In the end, Davis - who seemed like he had a chance to earn the RB2 job early on - trailed Dowdle and Vaughn this summer, but the team has interest in re-signing him to practice squad if he clears waivers, according to the rest of the post.

RB Ronald Jones has been suspended the first two games of the regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, per a statement from an NFL spokesperson. Jones is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Cowboys' active roster on Monday, Sept. 18, following the team’s Week 2 game against the New York Jets.

Related Players: Malik Davis, Deuce Vaughn

An already-thin Cowboys backfield becomes thinner. Per beat reporters, Jones was likely in the lead for backup duties behind Tony Pollard, but this puts a wrench in that. While Davis or Vaughn could now have an increased workload, the team also might start kicking the tires on Dalvin Cook or Leonard Fournette as well. A FA signing may help lower the draft cost for Pollard, which would make him even more valuable.