Rico Dowdle rushed 7 times for 10 yards in the Panthers’ Week 18 loss to the Buccaneers, adding two catches for 20 yards.

04 January 2026

Dowdle was able to earn a million dollar signing bonus for hitting 1,350 total yards. End of positives for Saturday, as the Panthers were held to 19 total rushing yards in in the sloppy Tampa Bay conditions. Dowdle’s overall season is an unquestioned success that saw him become a major weapon for the Carolina attack, but the Panthers now need the Falcons to beat the Saints in order to advance to the postseason.