Rico Dowdle Rushes 206 Yards Leading Panthers Over Dolphins

Rico Dowdle emerged as a standout running back for the Carolina Panthers after stepping in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, rushing for a career-high 206 yards against the Miami Dolphins and playing a pivotal role in their 27-24 comeback win. Dowdle's performance was marked by significant runs of 53 and 43 yards, tying the second-highest single-game rushing total in franchise history and showcasing his ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact. Panthers coach Dave Canales, who previously struggled to involve the run game, committed to utilizing Dowdle's strengths, leading to a more effective ground attack that helped ease pressure on quarterback Bryce Young. Despite his previous role as a backup and a brief tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle's recent success has sparked discussion about him becoming the Panthers' full-time starting running back moving forward. His ability to consistently produce big plays and maintain physicality on the field suggests he could be the key to sustaining offensive momentum for Carolina. Dowdle is set to face his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 6, where continued strong performance could solidify his role as the starter.