Panthers head coach Dave Canales provided updates on several key players ahead of Sunday’s game against the Falcons. Running back Rico Dowdle, who has been dealing with a quadriceps injury for the past two weeks, participated fully in Friday’s practice and will not carry an injury designation into the weekend.
“Today he looked great,” Canales said. “He moved around yesterday, did some things, and got him out there today again, and he’s ready to go.”
Dowdle was limited in practice earlier in the week but is expected to play. Last week against the Saints, he rushed for 53 yards. Despite this, Dowdle leads the NFC and ranks third in the league with 788 rushing yards.
Chandler Zavala will return as starting right guard after missing last week’s game due to an elbow injury sustained against the Packers. Canales noted that Austin Corbett started at right guard last week but emphasized competition for positions.
“When I look at these opportunities, I see these things as competitions that happen where your focus can’t be on competing against your teammate, but it is about opportunity, and who can make the most out of it,” Canales said. “And so I’m excited for Chandler to get in there and see what he can bring us, you know, in the run game and the pass game.”
With Zavala back in the lineup alongside Ikem Ekwonu (left tackle), Damien Lewis (left guard), Cade Mays (center), and Taylor Moton (right tackle), Carolina will field a familiar offensive line combination used earlier this season. The team has rotated through eight different starting groups across 11 games.
Canales also praised Corbett’s versatility: “Absolutely, he’s invaluable to what we’re doing,” Canales said of Corbett. “Gives us flexibility inside if somebody does have to come out for whatever reason, he’s got a lot of flexibility along the inside of the line.”
At linebacker, Claudin Cherelus is set to take on a larger role with Trevin Wallace sidelined by a shoulder injury. Cherelus has filled in over recent weeks and brings three years’ experience with this coaching staff.
“He did an excellent job,” Canales said of Cherelus. “It’s great to have Claud around here for a while now, in scheme, and to understand what we’re requiring of the inside linebackers to play. And really loved the way he finished last game, and then he had a great week just playing physical and being in tune with the calls and the different situations.”
Canales did not specify whether Cherelus or Christian Rozeboom would handle defensive signal-calling duties during Wallace’s absence.
