The Carolina Panthers (3-3) will visit the New York Jets (0-6) in Week 7. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding RB Rico Dowdle.
Is Rico Dowdle Playing in Week 7?
Dowdle is not on the injury report and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Panthers’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Rico Dowdle in Week 7?
Rico Dowdle was like a UFC fighter after the Week 5 headline-grabbing stat line against the Dolphins: he seemed to care more about his next fight than the monster accomplishment (206 rush yards) he was fresh off of.
That “next fight” was with his former employer, and he posted a nearly identical stat line against them. Some called him brash for warning the Cowboys, but today, we just call him accurate.
He became the sixth player over the past decade with multiple 230+ yard games. Not the sixth to do it in consecutive weeks, the sixth with 2+ games like that in any capacity over that stretch.
As you’d expect, the others on that list are fantasy royalty: Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Julio Jones, and Ja’Marr Chase.
Chuba Hubbard’s absence (calf) is what has paved the way for this explosion, and while he didn’t practice last week, his status is TBD for this week.
I can’t imagine you take Dowdle completely off the field should the presumed starter return, but he’s also not going to get the elite volume that has allowed him to pile up these gaudy numbers. Denver running backs turned 17 carries into just 44 yards against these Jets last week, making a true committee in a limited offense a tough sell.
This is a situation to watch closely. If either RB projects to get the bulk of the work (via either injury or reported usage patterns), you can pencil them in for top-20 production and feel good about it, but without that, you’re splitting a small pie into pieces, and that’s not how I like to live.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Dowdle’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 7
Dowdle is projected to score 13.7 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Dowdle to rush for 67 yards and 0.2 rushing touchdowns, while adding 3 receptions for 18 receiving yards and 0.2 receiving touchdowns.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 7 Weather Impact: Panthers at Jets
The forecast for kickoff is 61 degrees Fahrenheit with 14 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.
