What Ezekiel Elliott discipline means for Rico Dowdle and Week 9

The Cowboys will lean further on Rico Dowdle and maybe Dalvin Cook with Ezekiel Elliott getting benched in Week 9.

The Dallas Cowboys are benching running back Ezekiel Elliott for at least one week, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. Elliott is being disciplined in Week 9 and did not travel with the team for their contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

This should not have a significant fantasy football impact as running back Rico Dowdle returns to the Cowboys starting lineup. Dowdle was a late game-day scratch last week due to an illness. Elliott got the start and led the team with ten carries for 34 yards. Dalvin Cook was the No. 2 running back, rushing six times for 12 yards.

Dowdle will not have to worry about Elliott taking any key snaps on Sunday against the Falcons. Cook will get some work in his place, but look for Dowdle to get a healthy workload. He’s been no better than an RB3 to date and remains so against a middle of the road Falcons defense that ranks 13th in fantasy points allowed opposing running backs. If you’re short-handed Dowdle is worth a start, but otherwise there is limited upside.