Panthers starting RB Chuba Hubbard missed their Week 5 win over the Dolphins with a calf injury. That opened the door for Rico Dowdle to start, and he certainly made the most of his opportunity.
Dowdle rushed 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown while averaging 9.0 yards per carry. The former Cowboy also hauled in three of his four targets for 28 yards. All of the production culminated in 32.4 FPTS, the highest total among running backs in Week 5 on DraftKings. Dowdle and Hubbard now rank RB26 and RB27, respectively, with Dowdle 0.6 FPTS ahead of his teammate heading into Week 6.
Now the question becomes, if Chuba Hubbard is healthy for Sunday’s game, does he slot back into the offense as the starter, or does Carolina keep Rico Dowdle in the starting lineup for the second straight week?
Chuba Hubbard & Rico Dowdle Fantasy Outlook
If Chuba Hubbard is good to go in Week 6, taking his starting job away might seem harsh after only a one-week absence, but you have to ride the hot hand in this situation if you’re the Panthers.
Carolina has a great matchup for this week, as the Cowboys rank 23rd in the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed per game. Getting this decision right is going to be huge if the Panthers want to have an explosive running attack for the second straight week. If Carolina can build on their recent success in the run game, not only is it good for the team’s success, but it’s huge for Bryce Young and his development.
Hubbard has 217 rushing yards through four games, and Dowdle finished just 11 yards short of that total in just one start with his 206-yard performance against Miami. The latter now leads the team in rushing despite receiving fewer carries. In totality of the season, Hubbard has totaled 217 yards on 53 carries while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Dowdle has carried 51 times, totaling 289 yards while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.
Dowdle has outperformed Hubbard in less action, and while he might not get a bell cow load with Hubbard healthy, I would expect him to get the start and the majority of carries. Especially with Hubbard returning from a lingering calf injury and the Panthers facing Dallas, Dowdle’s former team, it feels like there’s only one way to go in Week 6.
I can’t imagine a scenario where Hubbard goes right back into the lineup and gets the bulk of the work. The outlook of this backfield could change from week to week, but I’m taking Dowdle as the better play against the Cowboys.
