Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jaylen Wright

Saturday, August 9, 4:08 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle showed a glimpse of his potential as a pass-catching threat in the team's preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns, recording one reception for 20 yards to go along with two rushes for seven yards. The 27-year-old running back is entering his sixth season in the NFL after spending his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, which was riddled with injuries. Dowdle is clearly behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but could carve out a role in the Panthers' receiving or two-minute offense in 2025. Coming off an underwhelming 2024 season in Dallas, where high hopes for the lead back role didn't materialize (235-1,079-2 on the ground, 39-249-3 in the air), a move to a new location and a backup role could take some pressure off Dowdle and allow him to grow into his potential. Rotoballer currently projects him as RB55, but Dowdle could be a sneaky stash if anything happens to Hubbard throughout the season.

Sunday, September 14, 11:59 AM

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (knee), who was listed as doubtful on Friday's final injury report, is officially out for Sunday's Week 2 divisional clash against the New England Patriots. Wright had a minor surgery on his right knee in late August and was always expected to miss time early in the 2025 season. With a quick turnaround next Thursday night in another divisional tilt against the Buffalo Bills, Wright is probably going to be facing an uphill battle to make his season debut. When fully healthy, the explosive and fast Wright should operate as De'Von Achane's primary backup. Miami's offense looked terrible in the Week 1 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, giving rookie Ollie Gordon II limited opportunities to make noise behind Achane. Fantasy managers should not be starting Gordon against the Pats with Wright out again.