The Dallas Cowboys take the field in an early game on Sunday hoping to avoid another losing streak. After two straight wins, Monday night’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was followed by the ongoing theme of catastrophic injuries in 2024. The club, now facing the Carolina Panthers, will need as many players as possible with Bryce Young turning things around on offense has managed.

Dallas has problems with the passing game and therefore has to rely heavily on its running game. After two straight 100-yard performances, it may have been concerning for fans to see RB Rico Dowdle listed on this week’s injury report with a knee issue.

Fortunately for Dallas, Dowdle’s inclusion in the daily report appears to be a precautionary measure. He’s been in full action all week, including Friday’s walkthrough, so it appears the illness won’t prevent him from wearing the suit as he didn’t carry an injury tag. He should play as long as the knee does not bloat during pre-game warm-ups.

The fifth-year running back enters Week 15 as one of the hottest RBs in the league. The Cowboys’ efforts to feed Dowdle have finally caught on, although they have failed to capitalize on his glorious performances, limiting him to just 18 carries last week despite averaging over seven yards per tote.

Dowdle will have to contend with the Panthers DC’s defensive plans and Mike McCarthy’s backup candidate Ejiro Evero.