‘They gotta buckle up’ — Rico Dowdle is already sending a strong message to his former team after breakout Week 5 performance
He’s not holding back this week either.
Violent, ferocious, and patient were some of the words used by Carolina Panthers players on Sunday to describe the way running back Rico Dowdle played in his first start with his new team.
It was a near-historic and career-best outing for the former undrafted free agent making the most out of his opportunities back in his hometown state.
With starting running back Chuba Hubbard out due to a lingering calf injury, Dowdle stepped into the spotlight in a big way for the Panthers in Week 5 rushing for 206 yards and one touchdown on 23 rushing attempts.
“It’s the attitude that he ran with, the violence that he ran with, finishing through arm tackles — something that we’ve been challenging our guys on,” head coach Canales explained. “When we get you to the second level, have a plan for how you finish. And I saw great finish today out of Rico.”
Next up, Dowdle will have the opportunity to stick it to his former team that let him walk out the door.
Rico Dowdle is already sending a strong message to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of Week 6
“They gotta buckle up. I think they know, for sure,” Dowdle said in the locker room when asked about facing the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. “I’ve been there five years and they didn’t keep me there for five years for no reason. Look forward to playing those guys next week.”
The Cowboys signed Dowdle in 202 after going undrafted. However, it took until 2024 for Dowdle to finally get his chance to prove himself in the NFL as a potential lead back. That season, Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys lead back. How did they repay him?
Dallas let Dowdle hit free agency instead of working out an extension and instead chose to sign running back Javonte Williams on the open market. The market for Dowdle was surprisingly quiet, leading to him landing with the Panthers a one-year, $3 million deal with added incentives.
It only took five games for that bet to pay off for Dowdle and the Panthers with his latest performance. With 206 rushing yards, Dowdle was 4-yards shy of DeAngelo Williams’ single-game franchise record of 210 yards. If not for some cramping Dowdle experienced, he might have been able to break that record on Sunday. But, more opportunities await.
“If I didn’t leave with cramps, I definitely would have got it,” Dowdle added. “But you know, get another opportunity to do it again.”
The next opportunity will be a personal one for Dowdle and saying Hubbard is forced to miss a second consecutive week, it’s safe to say Dowdle will be ready to lead the backfield once again.
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