The Dallas Cowboys’ 30-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers has sparked heated discussion among fans, with the team’s handling of running back Rico Dowdle adding fuel to the fire. Heading into the game, Dallas boasted a narrow 10-6 lead, but the third quarter saw them outscored 21-0, a turn that left fans questioning not only the team’s performance but also the inactive status of Dowdle due to a mysterious pre-game illness.
Fans’ skepticism only intensified when Dowdle was spotted on the field before the game, greeting fans and signing autographs after his illness designation. ESPN’s Ed Werder shared a clip of Dowdle’s pre-game activities, sparking questions about his status, as some fans noted that a player “too sick to play” seemed unusually active in the pre-game scene.
Does a player who is too sick to play come out onto the field early and sign autographs? https://t.co/5kZW9EoYCB
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) October 27, 2024
Social media immediately lit up with theories. Some fans speculated that the Cowboys might have sidelined Dowdle to prevent veteran Ezekiel Elliott from being benched as a healthy scratch. Others even floated that the move was part of a larger “team tanking” scheme, with one fan commenting, “Need to know what he’s got, seems like evidence of team tanking going on.”
Jerry Jones benching his best RB is going Full Jerry Jones.
I’m not trying to make Rico Dowdle out to be something special but what did he do to become the #Cowboys scapegoat? https://t.co/0IxAWzLyRe
— Tom Kessenich (@TomKessenich) October 28, 2024
With Dowdle out, the Cowboys’ rushing game struggled once again, managing only 56 yards and averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Dalvin Cook, who was elevated from the practice squad with high expectations, rushed for a mere 12 yards on six carries, underscoring the team’s need for consistency in the ground game.
That dude ain’t sick. I bet the owner told his HC, that no way he sits Zeke. so Rico became collateral damage. We’re so screwed. Gonna be a loooong season https://t.co/Vx7o1S2nAD
— Frankie Kenneth ✭ (@FrankieKennethL) October 28, 2024
For now, Cowboys Nation remains unconvinced by the “mystery illness” explanation, especially with the team’s rushing performance continuing to sputter. As Dallas heads to Atlanta to face the 5-3 Falcons in Week 9, they’ll need answers in the run game—and fast. Whether Dowdle’s absence was strategic or genuine, the Cowboys must find a way to establish a dependable ground attack if they hope to remain competitive this season.
