Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Nico Collins

Sunday, January 11, 12:48 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle, who will be a free agent in March, said his decreased number of carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Dowdle said he wants to go somewhere "where he can get the bulk of the carries." The 27-year-old was an unquestioned RB1 during the 2025 season when Chuba Hubbard missed time with an injury. However, Dowdle was involved in more of a timeshare late in the year following Hubbard's return, and he watched Hubbard score twice in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. He had only five rushing attempts for nine yards while adding one catch on two targets for six yards. In the final four regular-season games, Dowdle averaged only 3.3 yards per carry as his role shrank. It sounds as though Dowdle doesn't plan on signing in Carolina, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to land a lead-back role elsewhere in free agency.

Monday, January 12, 11:09 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has been diagnosed with a concussion and will not return to Monday's playoff contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He exited after hitting his head on the turf on an incomplete pass during the third quarter. Collins was initially listed as questionable while being evaluated, but the team eventually downgraded him to out. He finishes the Wild Card game with seven targets, three catches, and 21 receiving yards. In addition to Collins, fellow wide receiver Justin Watson (concussion), who primarily plays on special teams, has also been ruled out. The Texans will play the final few minutes with Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Dalton Schultz, and Christian Kirk operating as C.J. Stroud's top targets. Collins is officially in concussion protocol and will have just six days to get healthy before the Texans' Divisional Round game against the Patriots, assuming Houston holds on to defeat Pittsburgh.