David Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rico Dowdle remembers a time early in his NFL profession with the Dallas Cowboys when proprietor Jerry Jones did not appear to recollect his identify.
That will not be an issue subsequent Sunday when the Cowboys come to Financial institution of America Stadium on the heels of Dowdle speeding for a career-high 206 yards to assist the Carolina Panthers overcome a 17-0 deficit for a 27-24 victory towards the Miami Dolphins.
“They bought to buckle up,” Dowdle mentioned of the Cowboys after Sunday's comeback. “I believe they know for positive. They did not hold me there for 5 years for no purpose.”
Dowdle, 27, needed to stay with Dallas (2-2-1) after speeding for a career-high 1,079 yards in 2024, however the two sides could not come collectively financially.
So, the 2020 undrafted free agent out of South Carolina signed a one-year, $2.75 million take care of the Panthers (2-3) to again up Chuba Hubbard with incentives that would carry the worth to about $6 million.
Till Sunday, he was only a function participant this season, speeding for 83 yards on 28 carries.
However with Hubbard sidelined with a calf damage, Dowdle bought the decision. He made probably the most of it, tying Jonathan Stewart (2009) for the second-most yards in a sport in staff historical past. Have been it not for late-game calf cramps that had Dowdle consuming pickle juice and the rest he may to get again on the sphere, he believes DeAngelo Williams' document of 210 yards in 2012 would have fallen.
“If I did not depart with cramps, I undoubtedly would have gotten it,” Dowdle mentioned.
That Dowdle was going through one of many league's worst run defenses — the Dolphins have been permitting 158 yards a sport — helped. That coach Dave Canales did not hand over on the operating sport as coaches usually do down 17-0 did not damage, both.
However Dowdle helped his personal trigger with effort. He had 100 yards after contact, additionally a profession excessive. His 53-yard run within the third quarter with Carolina trailing 17-10 was the staff's longest play from scrimmage this season.
He had a 43-yard effort within the fourth quarter to arrange his 1-yard landing run that gave Carolina its first lead, 20-17, with 6:10 remaining.
That is when the cramps grew to become a problem, forcing Canales to show to rookie Trevor Etienne, who had 4 carries for 22 yards.
However Dowdle stole the present on a day when quarterback Bryce Younger bounced again from two early turnovers that put Carolina in a gap and the Panthers overcame a 17-point deficit for under the fourth time in 117 tries.
“It is the perspective he ran with, the violence that he ran with, ending by way of arm tackles, one thing that we have been difficult our guys on,” Canales mentioned. “Once we get to that second degree, have a plan for a way you end.
“I noticed an ideal end immediately out of Rico.”
The Cowboys knew they'd one thing good in Dowdle, however with cash an element they turned to 2021 second-round choose Javonte Williams, a free agent after 4 seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Each Williams and Dowdle will enter Sunday's sport on a roll. Williams had 135 yards speeding and a landing in Sunday's 37-22 victory towards the New York Jets.
Williams' function appears safe. Dowdle's will rely upon the well being of Hubbard, whose damage was known as day-to-day by Canales on Friday. It may very well be extra of a shared effort if Hubbard is cleared.
Nonetheless, Dowdle mentioned Dallas higher be ready for him.
“They know I am a violent runner,” he mentioned. “I am wanting ahead to attending to the second degree on them. They've simply bought to buckle up.”
