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7h ago

Rico Dowdle’s Record Surge Puts Panthers’ Backfield in Flux After Win Over Cowboys

Coach Dave Canales has declined to guarantee Chuba Hubbard regains the starting role.

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Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Dowdle posted 183 rushing yards with 56 receiving and a touchdown in a 30-27 victory over Dallas, setting a Panthers single-game mark of 239 scrimmage yards and moving Carolina to 3-3.
  • The sixth-year back has 473 scrimmage yards over the past two games, the most in any two-game span in franchise history and one of the few NFL runs of consecutive 200-plus scrimmage-yard outings since 2020.
  • Canales said the team will “figure that part out” regarding the starter once Hubbard is cleared, praising Dowdle’s performance but stopping short of a commitment to Hubbard.
  • Hubbard has missed two games with a calf injury and could return as soon as Week 7 against the Jets, as Dowdle now leads the team with 472 rushing yards through six games.
  • Carolina’s ground game has surged despite multiple offensive line injuries, and while some outlets are floating trade talk around Hubbard, no roster moves have been announced.