Panthers’ Dave Canales hints at bigger workload for emerging Rico Dowdle

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle took the NFL by storm when he replaced an injured Chuba Hubbard earlier this month. Dowdle ended up recording 389 rushing yards in two games as the team’s starter while Hubbard dealt with a calf strain.

With Hubbard returning to the field, questions were raised about how the team would distribute carries. During Monday’s press conference, Panthers coach Dave Canales expressed confidence in both ball carriers, but admitted Dowdle’s success was hard to ignore.

“Chuba has meant a lot to this organization and certainly to the identity that we want to build our team around. We wanted to give Chuba the opportunity to come out and continue to have a positive impact on our team (upon his return),” Canales said. “We can’t ignore the fact that Rico has been outstanding in these two games. In the opportunities he’s had over the last two weeks, he’s made some great plays. I love the pace and the violence with which he runs… These are conversations we absolutely need to have.”

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Since seeing an increase in volume when Hubbard was injured, Dowdle has rushed for 522 yards and 6.7 yards per carry to go along with a touchdown. In the two games Hubbard missed, Dowdle received 53 carries that he turned into rushing performances of 206 and 183 yards, respectively.

In Carolina’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets in Week 7, Hubbard returned and the Panthers have used both of their backs ever since.

“Whether it’s 70/30, 50/50, 100 or 100 for Rico, whatever it is, I’m focused on winning,” Hubbard added, according to The Charlotte Observer. “Obviously, it’s been a topic of conversation the last few weeks. But my main focus is never just on me. It’s always about the team and winning teams. So, like I said, I take pride in my job and helping my team do what needs to be done. And whatever that looks like, I’ve always been committed to that since I’ve been in Carolina.”

In two games, Hubbard carried the ball 16 times for 65 yards (4.0 yards per carry), while Dowdle had 25 attempts for 133 yards (5.3 yards per carry). Hubbard just outpaced Dowdle on rushing attempts in Sunday’s 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, as he recorded 12 carries to Dowdle’s eight.

Based on the last two weeks, Dowdle has been the most productive asset in Carolina’s backfield. However, the Panthers locked up Hubbard long-term after signing Hubbard to a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million in November 2024. Meanwhile, Dowdle signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Panthers this past offseason.