Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or MarShawn Lloyd

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.

Thursday, July 31, 2:18 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (groin) is not expected to practice this week, according to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur also said that the team doesn't anticipate a long-term absence for Lloyd, who suffered a groin injury during practice on Monday. Drafted out of USC in the third round in 2024, injuries have plagued Lloyd for the first year-plus of his NFL career. He played in just one game as a rookie due to hip, hamstring, ankle, and appendix issues. Lloyd is competing in camp with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks for the backup job behind Packers RB1 Josh Jacobs. After missing so much time in 2024, the last thing Lloyd needs is another injury to set him back.