Panthers Add Rico Dowdle As Backup RB

Panthers Add Rico Dowdle As Backup RB

Rico Dowdle became the first player in Dallas Cowboys team history to rush for over 1,000 yards as an undrafted player. His reward this offseason was watching his former team sign Javonte Williams while not being offered a contract to return…

But that’s okay because the former South Carolina product will return home and has inked a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Mike Kaye from the Charlotte Observer newspaper was the first to report the news:

The #Panthers have agreed to a 1-year deal with RB Rico Dowdle, per league source.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 12, 2025

Dowdle, 26, will sign a deal worth a maximum of $6 million, with $3 million in base salary. It’s hard to not imagine the return to the area was a factor here. Dowdle is a native of Asheville, North Carolina and played college football for the Gamecocks. He finished with 1,079 rushing yards a season ago in his first season with a real opportunity.

Should Dynasty Fantasy Football Owners Give Up On Jonathon Brooks After Another Knee Injury?

On the surface, the fit here makes some sense. Miles Sanders was kicked to the curb. Jonathon Brooks, who I told everyone not to draft, is shelved with another knee injury. Undrafted former TCU running back Emani Bailey is the only other running back on the roster beyond the recently extended Chuba Hubbard. Dowdle will likely serve as the backup while Brooks essentially takes this year off in the rehab process.

Feel free to comment. Are Panthers fans excited about this move? It’s a one-year prove it deal for cheap money so it’s not the biggest deal if this signing doesn’t workout. Maybe he can do his job as the handcuff behind Chuba.

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