As the Carolina Panthers tried to hang in there against the Miami Dolphins, running back Rico Dowdle went down with an injury.
Dowdle was having a stellar day against Miami, carrying the ball 15 times for 132 yards and averaging 8.8 yards per carry before his injury. With him out, along with Chuba Hubbard, who is next on the depth chart?
Who’s Next On Panthers RB Depth Chart?
After Hubbard and Dowdle, the Panthers have to look at Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas, who are Nos. 3 and 4 on the running back depth chart.
Dowdle just ploughed through the Dolphins’ defense on Sunday whenever he picked up yardage. His gains helped the Panthers stay in the game as it entered the fourth quarter.
Rico Dowdle will not go down 😤
MIAvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/K7NlxXYmFB
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
What Dowdle has done for the Panthers is nothing short of great for their offense. Quarterback Bryce Young needs a back like Dowdle to make the offense run effectively.
One week after the Panthers lost Chuba Hubbard to a calf injury, it’s possible Dowdle is dealing with the same thing. He was spotted on the sideline doing calf raises.
Dowdle was off to a scorching afternoon in his first start of the season, looking like a weekly RB2. If this injury ends up costing him time and Hubbard can’t return, Etienne would lead the backfield. We may also see veteran journeyman Dallas as the passing-down back. Etienne would be a priority add in fantasy leagues. Dallas can be left on the waiver wire.
Dowdle managed to get back into the game and scored a go-ahead touchdown as the Panthers, who were down to Miami 17-0 at one point, came back in the fourth quarter. Carolina took a 20-17 lead over Miami midway through the fourth.
With Dowdle back on the field, it looks like he can lead the Panthers’ rush attack in the final minutes.
Based on our FPM simulations, this MIA/CAR game has huge implications for what this season looks like for them both:
- MIA would climb to ~21.2% chance of making the playoffs, but would drop to ~10.3% if they lose
- CAR would climb to 13.2% to make the playoffs with a win, but drop to 5.8% with a loss
Young has had his troubles as QB1 for the Panthers. Having a back like Dowdle available to get key yardage when it matters most gives Carolina head coach Dave Canales another big option in the run game.
