The Carolina Panthers may be going through a shift in their backfield starting here in Week 9.
According to Joe Person of The Athletic, running back Rico Dowdle is expected to get the start over Chuba Hubbard for Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This would mark Dowdle’s first start in Carolina with Hubbard as an active player on game day.
Dowdle previously started in Weeks 5 and 6, when Hubbard was sidelined with a calf strain. Those outings saw the Gaffney, S.C. native amass a franchise record for most scrimmage yards in a two-game span (473) and help lead the Panthers to a pair of wins.
Hubbard returned as the starter in Week 7, and alternated series with Dowdle into Week 8. The former, over two contests, ran for 65 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries while the latter rushed for 133 yards on 25 carries.
Head coach Dave Canales hinted at a possible change earlier this week.
“It’s a fair observation,” Canales told reporters of Dowdle’s effectiveness on Monday. “And Chuba’s meant a lot to this organization, certainly to the identity that we wanted to build our team on. And wanted to give Chuba the opportunity to go out there and to continue to impact our team in a positive way.
“We cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional in a couple of games and 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 we’re talking about and working through this week as we look back on these last four games and really taking a snapshot of what’s been successful for us. These are conversations that we do definitely have to have.”
Per Person, Dowdle is in line to get the “bulk of the carries” in Green Bay. Hubbard is still expected to be a part of the offensive attack.
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