In total, Sanders has rushed for 4,345 yards and 23 touchdowns. His most recent campaign in 2024 saw career lows with 55 carries, 205 yards, but escaped the threshold by securing two touchdowns, compared to one from the year before.

For the longest time, Dallas has been linked with a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ashton Jeanty has been a popular pick in mock drafts although, the Cowboys may wait until Day 2 to find their guy. At the very least, Sanders is a veteran back ready to compete for snaps.

Carolina released Sanders at the beginning of the new league year, deciding to move on. Turns out, the Panthers have wound up swapping running backs with Dallas via free agency decision.

Panthers, Cowboys swap running backs with Rico Dowdle signing in Carolina

Rico Dowdle is moving on from the Dallas Cowboys and joining the Carolina Panthers. According to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, the former Cowboys running back and the Panthers have agreed to a one-year contract. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network then said the contract is worth up to $6.25 million.

Shortly after the report, the Panthers announced they had agreed to terms with Rico Dowdle. He has ties to the area as he is from Asheville, North Carolina and played college football at the University of South Carolina.

The Panthers are getting a running back who had a strong 2024 season. Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns while catching 39 passes for 249 yards and three scores. His 1,328 yards from scrimmage was 20th in the NFL.

The Panthers were looking for another running back to complement Chuba Hubbard. They drafted Jonathon Brooks last year, but he is expected to miss most of the 2025 season due to a torn ACL.

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this report