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Panthers get good news after Rico Dowdle injury scare

The Panthers appear to have dodged a bullet.
Zach Roberts|
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (77) celebrate after Dowdle runs for a first down to set up a game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Panthers won the game, 16-13, on a 49-yard field goal as time expired. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (77) celebrate after Dowdle runs for a first down to set up a game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Panthers won the game, 16-13, on a 49-yard field goal as time expired. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

On Sunday, Rico Dowdle left the eventual win over the Green Bay Packers twice. In the middle of a dominant day, the Carolina Panthers running back suffered some injuries and had to miss a few plays here and there. Unsurprisingly, he was very banged up when it was all said and done.

As a result, Dowdle did not practice on Wednesday. This sent panic across the Panthers fan base, and it concerned fantasy managers as well. Chuba Hubbard is sometimes a capable back, but he's not been this year, so Dowdle is vital to the team's success. Fortunately, the Panthers got some good news on that front.

Rico Dowdle returns to practice after DNP on Wednesday

Rico Dowdl
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) breaks away for a long gain with less than a minute left in the game against the Green Bay Packers during their football game Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Carolina won 16-13. | Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rico Dowdle's DNP yesterday was probably more precautionary than anything. The Panthers have begun to truly rely on him in the running game even with Chuba Hubbard fully healthy, and after a bruising performance on Sunday, the veteran probably needed a day off.

Regardless of why he sat, fans can breathe easy. His status remains questionable until we find out something concrete, but the fact that he's back on the field, practicing, with a helmet is a good sign. Unless the injury flares up again, Dowdle should be back in the lineup Sunday, and he should still get the bulk of the touches out of the backfield for Carolina.

While the Panthers could probably beat the hapless New Orleans Saints at home on Sunday without Dowdle, it's never a good idea to go into a game after a big win without your offense's engine. Dowdle has carried the Panthers on this hot streak, and even though the opponent is worse, the Panthers still need him.

Despite only getting three starts and five games getting a substantial amount of touches, Dowdle is third in the NFL in rushing yards, and he has four rushing touchdowns this season. With him in the lineup, the pressure is off of Bryce Young, and it makes for a complementary game plan with an improving Panthers defense. That should continue this week in Charlotte.

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Zach Roberts
ZACH ROBERTS

Zachary Roberts is a journalist with a wide variety of experience covering basketball, golf, entertainment, video games, music, football, baseball, and hockey. He currently covers Charlotte sports teams and has been featured on Sportskeeda, Yardbarker, MSN, and On SI.

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