With the Carolina Panthers currently sitting at 5-4, they are considered a team on the rise in the NFL. For a team that has won a total of seven games combined in 2023 and 2024, this year's squad has shown steady improvement.
A big part of this season's success can be credited to former first-round pick quarterback Bryce Young. But one of the team's biggest playmakers has been running back Rico Dowdle. The 27-year-old has rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns. He had a monstrous game on Sunday, carrying the ball 25 times for 130 yards and two TDs. However, he left the game briefly with a quadriceps injury.
Dowdle was held out of practice on Wednesday, even though he was able to return to action in the Green Bay game. The nagging injury is not considered severe. However, it has fans and observers wondering about his status for this week's battle with division rivals, the New Orleans Saints.
Will Rico Dowdle play in Week 10?
Panthers insider Darin Gantt wrote about Dowdle's status on Wednesday, saying that head coach Dave Canales and his staff are being patient regarding the running back's workload. But they expect Dowdle to be ready by game time this weekend. Gantt posted the following on social media:
"Canales on Rico, says they're being smart with it: 'We're counting on him this weekend.'"
Just in case he doesn't play, Chuba Hubbard is the Panthers' reliable backup. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy has amassed 299 yards and one rushing touchdown this season in limited action.
While he is a steady hand in the backfield, Hubbard hasn't displayed the same explosiveness as Dowdle. That might not be an issue against New Orleans, as the Saints are currently ranked 25th against the run in the NFL.