The Carolina Panthers have added depth to their running back room by signing free agent Rico Dowdle to a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dowdle’s deal is worth $3 million but could increase to $6.5 million with incentives. The 26-year-old, who hails from Asheville, North Carolina, and played college football at South Carolina, is coming off a breakout season with the Dallas Cowboys.
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A historic season with the Cowboys
Dowdle made history in 2024 by becoming the first undrafted running back in Cowboys history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. He finished the year with 1,079 rushing yards, seizing the starting role from Ezekiel Elliott midway through the campaign. During a remarkable five-week stretch, Dowdle posted four 100-yard rushing games and became the first undrafted player since Arian Foster in 2014 to record three consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards.
Filling a key role in Carolina
Dowdle is expected to serve as the primary backup to Chuba Hubbard, who signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension last season after rushing for 1,195 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. His arrival comes after the Panthers released Miles Sanders on Tuesday due to a failed contract restructuring.
Carolina needed additional depth at the position, especially with rookie Jonathon Brooks recovering from ACL surgery and likely to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season. The only other running back on the roster is Emani Bailey, who has yet to appear in an NFL game after signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent last year.
Overcoming injuries and proving his worth
Before his breakout season, Dowdle battled injuries that delayed his development. A hip injury sidelined him for the entire 2021 season, while an ankle injury limited him to just five games in 2022. In 2023, he shared the Cowboys‘ backfield with Tony Pollard, recording 361 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries.
Now with the Panthers, Dowdle has the opportunity to further prove himself and contribute to a team looking to establish a strong ground game for the 2025 season.
