New report offers insight on how Panthers could plan to use RBs Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle

The Carolina Panthers seem to be taking a very calculated approach to their two-headed backfield.

According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers—in hopes of effectively utilizing both Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle—have been "studying and inquiring about" how other teams have handled their two-running back systems. Schefter wrote the following in a report released on Sunday morning:

The Panthers looked at how the Lions have worked with their talented tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and how the Seahawks did it with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet when Carolina head coach Dave Canales worked in Seattle.

There also have been a slew of other two-headed backfields that the Panthers have studied to help figure out the best way to deploy Dowdle and Hubbard.

Dowdle, who was signed to a one-year deal this past offseason, stepped up in the absence of Hubbard in Weeks 5 and 6. He amassed 473 scrimmage yards, the most over a two-game span in franchise history, and a pair of touchdowns in victories over the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys.

After missing those outings due to a calf strain, Hubbard is expected to return to the playing field this afternoon against the New York Jets. Prior to being sidelined, the fifth-year veteran rushed for 217 yards on 53 carries over four contests this season.

Hubbard ran for a career-high 1,195 yards and 10 scores in 2024.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Report: Panthers study RB duos to plan for Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle