ClutchPoints
The Carolina Panthers are headed into a NFL Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with some murky injury news. Panthers star running back Rico Dowdle was nowhere to be seen at the start of Carolina’s practice Tuesday.
“I don’t see Rico Dowdle or Robert Rochell at walkthrough. Claudin Cherelus is watching practice with a boot on his left leg,” Charlotte Observer reporter Mike Kaye posted to X, formerly Twitter.
Dowdle has been very efficient this season. The running back has 1,066 rushing yards on the campaign, with six rushing touchdowns. He has 229 carries already on the campaign. Dowdle also has worked as a kick returner.
In his career, the running back has 560 total carries for 2,530 rushing yards. He has played in the NFL since the 2020 season.
The Panthers enter the Tampa Bay game with a 8-8 record, and the lead in the NFC South.
Carolina hopes to win the NFC South, and earn a bid to the playoffs. It would be a big deal for Carolina, who has struggled the last few seasons in the NFL.
The Panthers can accomplish that feat by simply defeating the reeling Buccaneers in the NFL’s Week 18. Tampa Bay has lost four games in a row, including the last meeting between the two squads.
Panthers fans will certainly be monitoring Dowdle’s status in the days ahead. The running back has earned the praise this season of his head coach, Dave Canales.
“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,” Canales said about Dowdle’s performance in October, per ESPN.
This is Dowdle’s first season in Carolina, after playing several years for the Dallas Cowboys. He is just 13 yards shy of matching his career-high in rushing yards. He rushed for 1,079 yards for Dallas in 2024.
Carolina and Tampa Bay play on Saturday, at 4:30 ET. Tampa Bay enters the contest with a disappointing 7-9 record.
The post Rico Dowdle’s Week 18 injury status is something to monitor for Panthers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
