When the team owner gives you flowers, you must be doing something right, and for Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, getting owner Jerry Jones’ approval of his recent form is a feather in his cap.

Long thought to be “just a guy,” Dowdle, having battled injuries over the last few seasons, finally has a clear runway in 2024, and with the Cowboys run game not showing signs of life until he was given the keys, now things are heating up.

Rico’s last two weeks have been his best of the season, totaling 86 and 112 rushing yards from 19 and 22 carries, respectively, and Jerry isn’t the least bit surprised at what Dowdle’s doing over the last fortnight.

“He’s gotten to where he is because he was a recognized, violent runner,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “We keep reminding ourselves that it’s been his lack of consistency because of injury, but he’s really gotten stronger, relative to being able to avoid those injuries that go with running back. I’m not at all surprised at how well he’s running the ball. I’m pleased, and I feel rewarded that he’s doing as well as he’s doing.”

A player’s best ability is availability, and for a couple of seasons, Rico was the forgotten man in the running back room, with Ezekiel Elliott and then Tony Pollard ahead of him in the depth chart.

But now, with Elliott not offering much in the run game and Pollard with the Tennessee Titans, opportunity knocked at Rico’s door.

Things could change again next year. Rico is a free agent and there is plenty of buzz about Dallas drafting somebody like Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty, who just happens to be a Frisco kid.

But for now? While it has taken until halfway through the season for the Cowboys to finally realize that Dowdle needs touches to get into a rhythm, we’ve seen what he can do when given a chance, and Dallas has reaped the rewards.

It is a small sample size, but Rico is beginning to show promise as a starter. While he might not be that in 2025, he more than deserves a shot at being a part of the room, and we bet that Jerry will see to it that he does.