The Carolina Panthers (5-4) got back to work during the Thursday practice session in preparation for the divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints (1-8) on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Panthers head coach Dave Canales mentioned that they were approaching stud running back Rico Dowdle’s non-participation strategically to “get him on the right track”, with the target of returning for Thursday’s practice.
Carolina Panthers Provide RB Injury Update
The strategy paid off, for now at least, as Dowdle (quadriceps) was listed as a limited participant on today’s injury report.
Dowdle, who has produced the third-most rushing yards in the NFL through the first nine games despite only being the starter for three of them, was visibly working through some discomfort during the Week 9 performance. Those moments did not prevent him from rushing for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
While that is undoubtedly a positive report for Panthers’ fans and the team alike, the new addition of defensive lineman and professional game wrecker, Derrick Brown (elbow), is a less gleeful surprise.
Joe Person of The Athletic shared that Brown said his elbow is “good”.
Since Brown seemingly sounded comfortable with his injury designation, perhaps the lower activity level may be more of a maintenance and rest component for the Panthers’ interior enforcer. Brown has graded out to a 75.6 score this season in PFSN’s DTi.
Only two Panthers did not participate in the mid-week practice, being wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (hip) and guard Chandler Zavala (elbow). Zavala did not participate on Wednesday, either, giving him back-to-back DNPs to start the week, with no detailed update provided yet on the extent of the elbow issue.
Tremayne is the second new addition to the injury report, along with Brown, today. The first-year Panther has been an effective special teams contributor, as well as offering the offense an interesting piece of versatility as a WR/TE hybrid of sorts.
Rounding out the report, Cade Mays (knee/ankle), Damien Lewis (oblique), Lathon Ransom (illness), and Princely Umanmielen (ankle) all fully participated; a positive omen for their prospects of being available on Sunday.