After a rough start to the 2025 NFL season, losing three of the first four games, the Carolina Panthers have been able to fly under the radar and get to 5-5 ahead of Week 11’s matchup against the division rival Atlanta Falcons.
Although the Panthers have played better than expected up to this point in the 2025 campaign, the team has little margin for error in the second half of the season if they expects to give Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a run for their money in the race for the AFC South division title.
One of the keys to the Panthers maintaining their success on offense this season will be the health of running back Rico Dowdle, who is dealing with a quadriceps injury heading into the matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, on the road at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Panthers Get Promising Update on Rico Dowdle’s Status
GettyRico Dowdle #5 of the Carolina Panthers.
Fortunately for the Panthers, the team got some good news on Friday, with Dowdle being a full participant in practice, resulting in him being listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons, according to team reporter Darin Gantt.
Running back Rico Dowdle (quadriceps) was a full participant Friday, and is listed as questionable for the game. He was held out of practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday.
All signs point to Dowdle being ready to take the field Sunday in Atlanta, which is obviously great news for the Panthers, who have leaned on him all season long to get the offense firing on all cylinders.
In 10 games played so far this season, Dowdle has rushed for 788 yards (3rd in the NFL) and five rushing touchdowns on 149 carries. He’s also caught 18 passes for 142 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Will the Panthers Bounce Back in Week 11?
GettyBryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers.
With two losses over the last three games, with the only win being against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, the Panthers have found it difficult to put points on the scoreboard. Carolina has scored a total of 32 points over the past three games, which is obviously a concern if this team wants to be playoff-bound this season.
One of the primary concerns regarding the team’s offensive output is at the quarterback position, as former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has struggled over the past two games, passing for only 226 yards during that span.
Although Young has shown flashes of brilliance and potential during the 2025 campaign, he has been anything but dependable under center, which is concerning for Carolina, with the team having a chance to be in the playoff picture in the NFC.
It’ll be interesting to see if Young can have a bounce-back performance during Sunday’s game against the Falcons, as the Panthers will need him to at least be decent on the field to come out on top against a talented Atlanta squad playing on its home field.
In the nine games he’s played this season, Young has passed for 1,514 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
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