With only a few hours remaining to the Cowboys clash against the 49ers in Santa Clara. It seems like the boys from Dallas have an early setback, as RB Rico Dowdle is sick upon arriving at Levi’s Stadium. While his game status was updated to a questionable tag, Dowdle was officially ruled out of the clash on Sunday Night.

This means hours before the game in San Francisco, the Cowboys would have to settle for a different backfield. After getting elevated from the practice squads, Dalvin Cook may get paired with Ezekiel Elliot on the night. However, Dowdle would surely be missed against the 49ers, as he averaged 12.5 touches for 62.8 yards with two TDs in six games.

Apart from Dalvin Cook, the Cowboys also have fullback Hunter Luepke and Deuce Vaughn, who were inactive in the last two games. But Dowdle is set to join four starters that the Cowboys are missing from this clash. LB Micah Parsons is still rehabbing from the high ankle sprain he suffered before the bye week. DE DeMarcus Lawrence and WR Brandin Cooks are on injured reserve and won’t be coming back anytime soon.

Adding to that of injuries is CB DaRon Bland, who is set to miss his seventh game this season since his foot surgery in August. With Dowdle out, the Cowboys are missing out on a player who had 246 yards on 58 carries on Sunday. However, they would have Dalvin Cook, who was once one of the best running backs in the game.

Dalvin Cook’s possible return to the Cowboys lineup amid Rico Dowdle’s illness

There was a time when Cook used to take the field by storm when he was part of the Vikings from 2017 to 2022. Although he was selected as the second-round pick for the Vikings in 2017, his best years came from 2019 to 2022. During those years, he won four straight Pro Bowls that solidified his status in the NFL. With four consecutive 1000-yard seasons under his belt, Cook was a menace to opposition defenses. However, his best season came in 2020 when Cook recorded 1,557 rushing yards and 17 TDs to his name.

After signing with the Jets last year, Cook didn’t have a great time. He recorded just 214 yards on 67 carries. Well, he also played a single game for the Ravens in the playoffs. There he racked up eight carries for 23 yards. But, considering the dire circumstances the Cowboys find themselves in they need Cook to perform. Their running game is among the worst in the NFL this season. Averaging only 77.2 yards per game, the Cowboys are nowhere near the expectations they had this season.

Will Cook be able to help them claim their fourth win away from Dallas this season? Guess we will find out soon, as the Cowboys vs the 49ers will be live in a few minutes.