Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Salvon Ahmed

Friday, November 7, 12:51 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (quadriceps) was a full participant in Friday's practice and has been cleared to play in Week 10 versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to the team. Dowdle did not practice on Wednesday, leading to questions about his availability for the weekend, but head coach Dave Canales made it sound like the team was fully counting on Dowdle to be available against the Saints. He was limited on Thursday before being upgraded to a full practice on Friday, so Dowdle should be fine to once again serve as the team's lead back on Sunday. The 27-year-old has been fantastic out of Carolina's backfield this year, unseating Chuba Hubbard for the RB1 role. In the last five games, Dowdle has gone off with 652 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries while also adding 10 catches for 112 yards and another score. Start him everywhere in Week 10 in a plus matchup.

Friday, August 8, 7:12 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Salvon Ahmed (ankle) was taken down by a defender with an illegal hip-drop tackle in training camp practice on Sunday and suffered a season-ending ankle injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Colts placed Ahmed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Friday and have signed former Dolphins RB Nate Noel in a corresponding move. Jonathan Taylor is the unquestioned RB1 in Indy, with Tyler Goodson and rookie DJ Giddens battling for backup duties in 2025. With Ahmed now done for the entire 2025 campaign, it will mean added opportunities for Khalil Herbert, Ulysses Bentley and Noel as they look to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. The 26-year-old Ahmed spent his first four seasons in Miami and had a combined 593 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 163 carries over 38 games (four starts).