Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Tyler Goodson

Friday, January 30, 12:35 PM

ESPN's David Newton writes that unless Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle wants to "return at a bargain price," he "appears headed to this third team in three seasons." General manager Dan Morgan said he had a good meeting with Dowdle after the season, but Dowdle was unhappy with the way the year ended -- he had seven carries for 10 yards in the Week 18 regular-season finale and only five carries for nine yards in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was Carolina's leading rusher (1,076 yards), but he'd likely be in a committee backfield again with Chuba Hubbard if he were to re-sign. Hubbard is locked in through the 2028 campaign on a four-year, $33.2 million deal he signed in 2024. "I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries]," Dowdle said.

Sunday, December 28, 12:08 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson (ankle) will not play in Week 17 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars due to an ankle injury. Goodson won't play on Sunday despite returning to a full practice on Friday. The Colts have officially been eliminated from postseason contention, and therefore won't rush the 25-year-old back onto the field. With Goodson inactive against the Jags, the Colts will roll with rookie DJ Giddens and Ameer Abdullah as RB depth behind starter Jonathan Taylor. Goodson, in his third year in the NFL in 2025, has only eight rushing attempts in 10 games for 21 yards on the ground for Indy. He's added two receptions on three targets for another eight yards as a pass-catcher. Goodson can continue to be ignored in all fantasy football formats for the final two weeks of the regular season.