With Ezekiel Elliott sidelined due to team discipline, the Dallas Cowboys will enter Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday without their third all-time leading rusher.
However, recent trends indicate that the Cowboys are unlikely to alter their offensive strategy significantly due to Elliott’s absence. Instead, Dalvin Cook, called up from the practice squad, is expected to take on the backup running back role previously held by Elliott behind Rico Dowdle.
Elliott had tied his season-high with 10 rushing attempts in last week’s loss to the 49ers, primarily because Dowdle was ill. Since Week 2, Dowdle has clearly been the starting running back when healthy.
Consequently, Elliott recorded five consecutive games with between three and eight carries, not surpassing 19 rushing yards in any of those outings before Dowdle’s illness.
If Cook steps into Elliott’s position, he can anticipate receiving around five to eight carries on Sunday.
The game’s dynamics will ultimately influence the distribution of carries among the Cowboys’ running backs, but there’s a belief that Cook could effectively replace Elliott. Both are 29-year-olds with multiple Pro Bowl selections who have experienced notable declines in production and workload in recent seasons. Their size, playing style, and NFL combine metrics also bear similarities.
As the starter, Dowdle’s carries are most likely to vary based on the game’s progression. He recorded a season-high of 20 carries for 87 yards in a close win against the Steelers on October 6, but had only five carries in a lopsided loss to the Lions the following week as the Cowboys shifted to a pass-heavy approach to recover from a large deficit.
Thus, while Dowdle is expected to lead in carries for the Cowboys on Sunday, it remains uncertain how often he will touch the ball.
Second-year running back Deuce Vaughn is also active for the sixth time this season and may have a minor role in Dallas’ offense. Last week, he dressed for the game but did not see any action against San Francisco. Overall, Vaughn has tallied seven carries and two receptions across four games this year.
Statistics suggest that none of the Cowboys’ running backs are poised for particularly efficient performances this season. Dowdle leads the team with 4.2 yards per carry, yet collectively, Dallas averages an NFL-worst 3.4 yards per rushing attempt. Both Cook (six carries for 12 yards this season) and Vaughn (seven carries for 20 yards) are hopeful that more opportunities will improve their production.
