Mike McCarthy Says Cowboys ‘Need’ to Give Rico Dowdle the Ball: ‘He’s Back in the Lead’

As Mike McCarthy looks for answers for a floundering offense, the Dallas Cowboys coach plans to lean on Rico Dowdle from the backfield.

“You’ve got to get him the ball,” McCarthy said of Dowdle on Thursday, via the team’s official website. “That’s my focus, to keep giving him opportunities. He’s the frontrunner.”

With Ezekiel Elliott added, Dallas hasn’t leaned on just one rusher. Dowdle leads the Cowboys with 83 rushing attempts for 374 yards, but has just one game of more than 12 carries (20 carries for 87 yards in a win over Pittsburgh).

Going forward, it makes sense for Dowdle to get more details. He’s the Cowboys’ best runner – it’s not particularly close at this stage – and with Cooper Rush under center, Dallas needs to get a ground game to have any chance of moving the ball consistently.

“Being the lead back for America’s Team is definitely a great recognition,” said Dowdle. “But other than that, I just have to keep going and keep doing what I’m doing.”