The Cowboys are signing Ezekiel Elliott to join Dowdle in a backfield that otherwise lacks experienced players and early draft picks, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Zeke reunion has been in the works for weeks, but most people still expected the Cowboys to add at least one running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They ultimately didn't select one, leaving Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn as the competition behind Elliott and Dowdle. An undrafted free agent or two likely will be added to that mix, but it should still be a favorable situation for Elliott and Dowdle to earn playing time.

Dowdle is set to re-sign with the Cowboys, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following the free-agent departure of Tony Pollard, Dowdle is poised to reclaim his role in a Dallas backfield that also currently includes Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner. Chances are, the Cowboys will add further RB depth via free agency or the draft, so until the team's personnel at the position is settled, Dowdle's fantasy upside for the 2024 season will be difficult to gauge.

Dowdle finished the regular season with 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries while catching 17 of 22 targets for 144 yards and two more TDs over 16 games.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old running back made his NFL debut with the Cowboys in 2020 but had only seven career carries coming into 2023. Dowdle won the No. 2 job in the backfield behind Tony Pollard in camp and never looked back, setting career highs across the board and posting a couple big performances in blowouts, including 79 yards and a TD on 12 totes against the Giants in Week 10. Dowdle is a restricted free agent this offseason while Pollard is unrestricted, but even if the former stays and the latter departs it's unlikely Dallas would simply hand Dowdle the starting role in 2024. A timeshare or committee role might be the best he can hope for.

Dowdle carried the ball nine times for 46 yards and caught three of four targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 38-10 rout of the Commanders.

EDGE Analysis

The backup running back mixed in regularly with Tony Pollard in the Cowboys backfield before taking over completely in the fourth quarter, and Dowdle wound up reaching 100 yards from scrimmage in a game for the first time in his career while seeing double-digit touches for the fourth time this year. The 25-year-old had a solid regular season in his depth role, amassing 505 total yards and four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) on 106 touches, and Dowdle should remain involved in the game plan when Dallas faces Green Bay on Sunday in the wild-card round.

Dowdle (ankle) practiced in full Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out Week 17 due to a lingering ankle injury, Dowdle appears set to resume his standing as the Cowboys' No. 2 running back behind starter Tony Pollard on Sunday at Washington, as he has for most of the season. Since the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, Dowdle has turned 61 touches into 248 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs over the last nine games.

Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dowdle has been dealing with the ankle issue for weeks and was ultimately deemed inactive ahead of last Saturday's win over the Lions. In his place, Deuce Vaughn served as the top backup to Tony Pollard and played eight snaps on offense, but Vaughn has since been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. If Dowdle isn't ready to play in the Cowboys' regular-season finale this Sunday in Washington, Malik Davis would likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Dallas' No. 2 back behind Pollard.

Dowdle (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lions, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dowdle has been playing through an ankle injury in the Cowboys' previous six games, but he apparently reached a breaking point this week after missing back-to-back practices Wednesday and Thursday. His absence could mean Deuce Vaughn is active for the first time since Week 10, but the team may lean on fullback Hunter Luepke instead or otherwise sign Malik Davis off the practice squad to serve as reserve options behind top RB Tony Pollard.

Dowdle (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

One day removed from being limited at Tuesday's walkthrough, Dowdle was held out of drills entirely. Thus, he'll have only more chance to practice this week before the Cowboys potentially make a ruling on his status for Saturday's game against the Lions.

Dowdle (ankle) was limited in Tuesday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dowdle has been nursing this ankle injury for over a month but continues to play through it. In last Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Dolphins, Dowdle's 11 snaps were his fewest since Week 6. He's carried the ball five times for just eight yards over the last two games, losses to Buffalo and Miami.

Dowdle (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan Dallas reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dowdle has been listed on the injury report for six weeks without ever missing a game. He'll again work off the bench as the Cowboys' No. 2 back behind Tony Pollard.