Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Jerome Ford

Tuesday, July 1, 9:24 PM

The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow writes that Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle will split carries with rookie Trevor Etienne as the backups to lead back Chuba Hubbard in 2025. Dowdle is coming of a 1,000-yard season with the Dallas Cowboys in his first year as a lead back, but he'll be working behind Hubbard. As the RB2 last year in Carolina, Miles Sanders only had 55 carries, although he was mostly injured and ineffective. Zietlow adds that the Panthers will want to find out what they have in Etienne before Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns in 2026. If anything, the 27-year-old Dowdle will take away valuable pass-catching opportunities from Hubbard on third downs in his first year in Carolina, but it's going to be hard to justify him as an every-week fantasy starter as long as Hubbard stays healthy. Dowdle is ranked as RotoBaller's RB50 going into the 2025 season.

Saturday, July 26, 1:30 PM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson reports that Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (undisclosed) remains sidelined at training camp on Saturday. The Browns are giving the players a day off on Sunday before practicing in pads for the first time on Monday. Ford is reportedly dealing with a minor undisclosed injury, but it remains to be seen if he'll return to the field on Monday. All indications are that the 25-year-old will be back soon. Ford's status is even more important because rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned as he deals with domestic-violence charges that could lead to a suspension to begin his NFL career. With Judkins' status up in the air, Ford and rookie Dylan Sampson both are more intriguing for fantasy purposes, although Judkins could still end up being Cleveland's lead back by the end of 2025.