Some say the number 13 is unlucky, but I have a feeling Rico Dowdle is up to the challenge. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest running back revealed his new jersey number on social media this afternoon.
This is the fourth unique number Dowdle will have worn in the NFL. He wore Nos. 34 and 23 with the Dallas Cowboys and No. 5 with the Carolina Panthers in 2025. Now he will seek to build a new brand on his new two-year deal with the Steelers.
Number 13 has only been worn 13 times in franchise history (now 14 including Dowdle). The Steelers didn’t issue it from 1999, when Steve Bono was the last to wear it, all the way until 2010, when Jeremy Kapinos revived the number in Pittsburgh. Since then, five other players have worn it, including Scotty Miller in 2024 and 2025. Miller remains a free agent. If he gets brought back, he is going to need a new number.
WR James Washington had the most success of any Steeler to wear No. 13, so Dowdle has an easy path to becoming the face of that number for the Steelers. He would only need a slightly better season than the ones he had in both 2024 and 2025 to overtake Washington in career yards with the team.
He is set to split backfield duties with fellow undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren for the next two seasons. Both backs had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2025. Given Dowdle’s familiarity with Mike McCarthy and his offensive system, it will be interesting to see how the division of labor shakes out. Dowdle will no doubt be a big part of the plan either way.
As always, don’t rush out to buy your jerseys right away. Things can and will change between now and the start of the season. Don’t get caught with an expensive jersey that becomes obsolete. Maybe wait until at least training camp to make those decisions.
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