Panthers likely to ditch RB shuffle, go with Dowdle

"Chuba has meant a lot to his organization, certainly to the identity that we wanted to build our team on, and we wanted to give Chuba the opportunity to go out and continue to impact our team in a positive way. We cannot ignore that Rico has been exceptional in a couple of games, and then in the opportunities he's had over the last two weeks. He's made some excellent plays. Love the tempo and violence that he's running with. And these are all things that we're talking about and working through this week."

"Obviously, this has been a topic of conversation the last two weeks. My main focus is it's never solely about me. It's always about the team and winning games."

Dave Canales plans to end the two-game alternating series and give Rico Dowdle a heavier workload. Dowdle recorded a franchise two-game record 473 scrimmage yards while Chuba Hubbard was sidelined with a calf injury and nearly produced consecutive 200-yard rushing performances. Hubbard returned and the team used an alternating-series approach, with Hubbard totaling 26 carries for 65 yards and Dowdle 25 carries for 133 yards in those split-role games. The Panthers won both games Dowdle primarily handled carries, averaging 25.5 points, and were 1-1 with the alternation while averaging 11 points.

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