Coach Mike McCarthy called Dowdle the Cowboys' "lead back" Thursday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Dowdle carried the ball 12 times for 75 yards and caught five of six targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Falcons.

Dowdle (illness) isn't listed on the Cowboys' first Week 9 practice report Wednesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Dowdle (illness) is listed as inactive Sunday at San Francisco.

Dowdle (illness) isn't expected to play Sunday night against the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Dowdle has an illness and now is considered questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco.

Dowdle carried the ball seven times for 30 yards and caught four of five targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints.

Dowdle is expected to have a "pretty even split" of the reps out of the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott in Sunday's season opener in Cleveland, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday that Dowdle will get less work on special teams this season due to an expected increase in his workload on offense, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dowdle is on track for a roster spot and could even be considered the favorite to lead Dallas in rushing this year, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.