CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a quadriceps injury, but head coach Dave Canales indicated the move was precautionary. Canales said the team expects Dowdle, currently the NFC’s leading rusher, to be available for Sunday’s game.
“We’re counting on him this weekend,” Canales stated. “And so wanted to make sure that we get him on the right track so he can get out there tomorrow, get some practice reps, and all that. But, as he continues to emerge as an important part of what we’re doing, we’ve got to make sure that we get him to game day he’s ready to go, and that’d be the plan.”
Canales explained that giving Dowdle extra rest at midweek is intended to help ensure his readiness for game day.
Dowdle has rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the recent win over the Packers, now leading the NFC in rushing with 735 yards and ranking third in the league overall. His 652 yards since Week 5 lead all NFL players during that period.
The Panthers also have other options at running back. Chuba Hubbard remains a reliable second choice and rookie Trevor Etienne continues to show progress both as a returner and running back.
“If it’s Chuba rolling out there, I feel great. I feel very confident in him being able to execute the things the way we want them to be done,” said Canales. “If it came to that situation, also Trevor Etienne, he’s done a great job continuing to grow as a returner and did an excellent job last week in pretty challenging conditions, fielding the ball for us. All that hidden yardage is so important that we take advantage of catching the ball first, and whatever we get on the return is a bonus from there, and he just keeps improving that way, too.”
On the offensive line front, guard Chandler Zavala missed practice after leaving last week’s game early. However, center Cade Mays returned after missing time due to injury; right tackle Taylor Moton was not listed on this week’s injury report after limited play against Green Bay; left guard Damien Lewis participated fully.
Canales noted plans for Austin Corbett’s return at right guard—his original position—with Mays moving back to center.
“He made the center move because we asked him to, and has done a fantastic job of being able to give us flexibility inside,” Canales commented. “It’s always so valuable, even Chandler this offseason, we put the ball in his hands and snapped him a bunch just to continue to develop those guys, the inside players who are available on game day. When you have flexibility for a guy to play a guard or center spot, it does help you a lot in those different situations.”
Safety Tre’von Moehrig had an interception during Sunday’s game against Green Bay following what he described as a premonition shared with coach Canales at halftime.
“Just kind of how the first half happened, a couple of opportunities for me just being really close to the ball, and you know came off the field at halftime, and I was feeling it, and coach Canales came up to me and was like ‘You’re going to get one this half,'” Moehrig recounted Wednesday.
“And I was like ‘Yeah I feel it too.’ So as soon as it happened…it was just crazy to have it all come together.”
Moehrig finished with five tackles (two for loss), an interception and two passes defended—a performance earning him NFC defensive player of the week honors. He is the first Panthers safety recognized with this award since Roman Harper in 2014.
Asked about what reward he wants following his achievement: “A win,” Moehrig replied when teammate Nick Scott posed the question—prompting laughter from Scott who responded: “What a team guy…Yeah just a win for our guy Tre.”
Looking ahead at their next opponent New Orleans Saints—who traded away receiver Rashid Shaheed and lineman Trevor Penning—the Panthers recognize some adjustments will be necessary but do not anticipate major changes in approach.
“Yeah you do have to look at how are they using those players and who might they put in,” said Canales. “Because you know basically we’re not going to just completely go away from core of our systems regardless of who’s in there…”
Saints receiver Chris Olave leads their group with 55 catches for 560 yards this season; others such as Brandin Cooks or Devaughn Vele may see increased roles following Shaheed’s departure. Safety Nick Scott added: “(Shaheed’s) a guy that’s got a lot of speed…I imagine most teams have a backup that fits that mold…The game plan is probably not going change too much because he left.”
Defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton echoed similar thoughts regarding new personnel: “They do it (trade him) knowing that somebody could possibly fill role…So we just got focus on us being less making sure understand scheme attack scheme not worry about players.”
Senior coaching advisor Jim Caldwell provided perspective following last week’s win over Green Bay:
“Coach Caldwell hit me up after game and was like you know what that win means is that you won five you didn’t win four,” said Canales. “So me it’s like that’s next game mentality…Let’s go play next one…
“We have hungry team we’re facing this week—that has be focus…Those are things I’m looking for gauge And really like As far as just making any statements it’s like that was one game we have go replicate because when do play take care ball when take away from opponent limit explosives play really good special teams leads good results We have capture those things capture process leads wins that’s most important part.”
