The Dallas Cowboys head into Week 8 with the league’s lowest rushing average, managing just 3.5 yards per carry. This struggle has led ESPN commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to criticize owner Jerry Jones for not acquiring Derrick Henry in the offseason. In response, Jerry noted on 105.3 The Fan that Henry’s performance with the Baltimore Ravens might differ from what he would experience in the Cowboys’ offensive scheme.
Currently, Rico Dowdle is the Cowboys’ leading rusher, accumulating 246 yards on 59 carries, while Ezekiel Elliott has only 115 yards and one touchdown on 38 attempts.
On Friday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that Dalvin Cook might be promoted from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Cook is prepared for the Sunday night matchup.
With a record of 3-3, the Cowboys recognize their running game needs improvement and will look to leverage a four-time Pro Bowl running back to enhance their backfield this week. However, to truly strengthen their ground game for a playoff push, they may need to explore outside options.
Chris Licata from AS proposed ten potential trades ahead of the November 5 deadline, suggesting that the Cowboys consider acquiring Chuba Hubbard from the Carolina Panthers. The 1-6 Panthers should focus on trading players for draft capital, as their postseason chances are slim. Hubbard is in the final year of his rookie contract, valued at $4.1 million.
The Panthers plan to eventually promote second-round pick Jonathon Brooks as their starting running back once he recovers from an ACL injury sustained in 2023. Once Brooks is back, Hubbard is likely to see a reduced role in a rebuilding season for Carolina.
Licata believes the Cowboys could offer a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Hubbard and a 2025 seventh-round pick from the 49ers. By doing so, the Cowboys would acquire the leading rusher for the Panthers, as Hubbard has tallied 537 yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries, along with 93 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air.
