The Dallas Cowboys are entering their bye week with a 3-3 record after a crushing loss in Week 6, where the Detroit Lions dominated them 47-9 in Arlington, TX.
This defeat highlighted one of the Cowboys’ biggest weaknesses this season: their struggling run game. Led by running backs Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas ranks last in the NFL for rushing, averaging just 77.2 yards per game. Dowdle, who has taken the majority of the snaps, has failed to impress.
Former NBA star and Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has a suggestion to fix the Cowboys’ running game. On a recent episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal invited former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Super Bowl champion Leonard Fournette. During the episode, Shaq addressed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones directly, urging him to sign Fournette.
“Jerry Jones, it’s me, your boy Shaq,” O’Neal said. “Look at [Fournette]. He’s in great shape, six-pack is tight. He’s ready to go. Jerry Jones, stop messing around. My man is right here… Mr. Jones, stop playing around and sign him up.”
Fournette was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. After three seasons, the Jaguars released him, and he joined Tampa Bay. Over his seven-year career, Fournette has logged 1,137 carries for 4,498 yards and 34 touchdowns, along with 2,219 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
While Fournette may not be a major upgrade for the Cowboys, he does offer a similar skill set and experience to that of Elliott and backup Dalvin Cook, as all three are nearing the end of their careers.
