Panthers RB Rico Dowdle addresses cryptic postgame social media post
Rico Dowdle was frustrated.
He had just six carries against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, despite averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per tote. The 49ers weren’t regularly stacking the box against the Panthers, and Dowdle felt like he could have had a lot more success in the 20-9 road loss with expanded carries.
He decided to acknowledge his frustration with an emoji on X on Tuesday. The choice of emoji, a “face with spiraling eyes,” might have been confusing to some without context.
But given his lack of usage against the 49ers, it was relatively easy for others to connect the dots.
“Just was frustrated with the outcome of the way the game went,” Dowdle said. “We lost, and I thought we had the opportunity to run the ball on them.”
Head coach Dave Canales said during his Tuesday news conference that he needed to call a more balanced offense after watching the tape from the loss. The Panthers running backs had nine combined carries for 54 yards (6 yards per carry average).
On Wednesday, Canales spoke to the team and took accountability for his lack of run calls against the 49ers. Dowdle told reporters after Wednesday’s practice that he appreciated the head coach’s humble message.
“That’s a great coach,” Dowdle said. “A lot of coaches, they won’t take that ownership … but every time it’s been an outcome of what it’s been, he’s just come in and taken ownership on their end, and we have to take ownership from our end as players as well.”
Dowdle has produced 871 rushing yards this season.
He is tied with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry for the sixth-most rushing yards in the NFL. He ranks third in the NFC behind Detroit Lions playmaker Jahmyr Gibbs and Dallas Cowboys rusher Javonte Williams.
Dowdle’s breakout campaign has put him on pace to shatter the bulk of his single-season career-high numbers. With free agency (again) on the horizon, every opportunity matters for Dowdle down the stretch.
He’s shown he’s capable of taking over games. He just wants ample opportunity to ride the waves of momentum throughout games.
Trevin Wallace ‘should’ return Sunday
The Panthers are monitoring the injury statuses of their top three inside linebackers heading into Week 13.
Trevin Wallace (shoulder), Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) and Claudin Cherelus (concussion protocol) are all banged up. But Canales said Wednesday that Wallace “should” return in time for Sunday’s matchup against the Rams at Bank of America Stadium.
“I feel good — body feels good, shoulder feels good — that’s just the main concern, the shoulder, so hopefully I get to play Sunday,” Wallace said. “Sounds like to (Canales) there’s a high chance I play on Sunday, so that’s good news.”
Still, the team promoted veteran linebacker Krys Barnes from the practice squad ahead of the first workout of the week. Barnes had been elevated from the practice roster for the third and final time on Monday, so the team was forced to sign him to the 53-man roster in order to use him for games moving forward.
The team also has rookie Bam Martin-Scott and Maema Njongmeta at the position.
With Wallace back in the lineup, Barnes would probably be the other inside linebacker starter against the Rams if Rozeboom and/or Cherelus can’t play.
Wallace told reporters after practice that he was frustrated watching from the sideline over the past two weeks.
Wallace, who had been on a hot streak before his shoulder injury, said the staff needed to save him from himself. The second-year linebacker wanted to be on the field, but he listened to the doctor’s orders.
“I grew up in south Georgia where if I got hurt, my dad was like, ‘You ain’t going to the hospital — better walk it off,’” Wallace said with a smile. “I grew up like that, so I felt like there were games where I sat out, where I could have played, but just the professional aspect of being smart and knowing that, ‘Hey, your body is your money — so just get prepared for the next game and then see what you can do after that.’”
Panthers’ walkthrough participation report
The Panthers held a walkthrough on Wednesday inside Bank of America Stadium. Wallace participated in a full capacity, while a handful of other notable names were held out of the action.
With walkthroughs, teams only give estimation statuses because of the limited workload. Below are the estimates:
Full participant: LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder)
Did not participate: C Cade Mays (ankle), LB Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring), G Chandler Zavala (calf), LB Claudin Cherelus (concussion protocol), CB Jaycee Horn (concussion protocol)
Like Rozeboom, Mays missed the loss to the 49ers. Zavala, Cherelus and Horn were all injured Monday in San Francisco.
Panthers add cornerback from Cowboys’ practice squad
With Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn in the league’s concussion protocol, the Panthers poached cornerback Robert Rochell from the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.
Rochell was added to the 53-man roster ahead of Wednesday’s practice with rookie Corey Thornton (leg) being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Rochell, 27, will get a crash course on coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defense heading into the Week 13 clash against Los Angeles on Sunday. The 6-foot, 193-pound defensive back is likely to serve as game-day depth, whether Horn clears protocol or not.
At minimum, Rochell will be Thornton’s replacement as the No. 4 corner. The worst — and likeliest — scenario would see Rochell back up Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade at outside cornerback. Smith-Wade has primarily played in the slot at nickel corner, but he could be asked to replace Horn on the outside if the former first-round pick can’t play.
Rochell has played in 50 career games (five starts) during various stints with the Rams, Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He has produced 26 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception during his career.
He previously spent roughly a month on the Panthers’ practice squad in 2023.
Quick hits
- Along with promoting Barnes and signing Rochell to the 53-man roster, the Panthers also added veteran cornerback David Long to the practice squad. Long, like Rochell, had a brief stint with the Panthers in 2023 after spending time with passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley in Los Angeles.
- The NFL announced Wednesday that DE Derrick Brown is the team’s 2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship award nominee. The award is meant to acknowledge “individuals around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship.”
- The Panthers will take part in the annual “My Cause My Cleats” campaign Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Players, coaches and staff members will wear specialized cleats to raise awareness for their individual causes.
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM.
