The Carolina Panthers bolstered their backfield Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $3 million deal that could grow to as much as $6.5 million with free agent running back Rico Dowdle, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Dowdle essentially replaces Miles Sanders, whom the Panthers released in a cost-cutting move earlier this week.
Carolina still has starter Chuba Hubbard, who had a career-high 1,195 yard rushing and 10 touchdowns this past season, earning him a four-year, $33.2 million extension. Jonathon Brooks, the team's 2024 second-round pick who suffered a second ACL tear in his right knee in December, and Emani Bailey are the other backs on the Panthers roster.
Dowdle, 26, became the first undrafted running back in Dallas Cowboys history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season when he finished with 1,079 in 2024.
The Cowboys opened the season with a running back-by-committee approach, but turned to Dowdle over Ezekiel Elliott at the midway point of the season and he responded. He posted four 100-yard rushing games in a five-week period.
He became the first undrafted player with three straight games of 100-plus rushing yards since Arian Foster in 2014.
Former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Dowdle's next step was becoming an every-down back as he improved his blocking and pass catching. He caught 39 passes for 249 yards and three scores in 2024.
Injuries delayed his role in the offense with a hip injury forcing him to miss the 2021 season and an ankle injury limiting him to five games in 2022. In 2023, he worked in a backfield with Tony Pollard and ran for 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries after entering that season with seven carries for 24 yards in his career.
ESPN's Todd Archer contributed to this report.
