Rico Dowdle On Track To Return For Week 18

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (ankle) was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday. Dowdle has been dealing with an ankle bruise for several weeks now, and he needed to miss his first game of the season in last Saturday's Week 17 win over the Detroit Lions. Thursday's full session should allow the 25-year-old to return to his change-of-pace role behind Tony Pollard out of Dallas' backfield, however, for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders without an injury designation on Friday's report. Dowdle has tallied four total touchdowns this season, collecting 80 carries for 315 yards and 14 catches for 90 yards in 15 games, and Deuce Vaughn (ankle) is on injured reserve. The Cowboys are nearly two-touchdown favorites in Week 18, so more work could head Dowdle's way if they form a substantial lead while on the prowl for the NFC East crown.