Rico Dowdle made himself a potentially incredible acquisition for another team at the trade deadline.
That forced the Carolina Panthers into a decision they likely never expected to have to make. Would they hold onto the guy who entered the year as their RB2, even while their well-paid No. 1 RB was back healthy in the form of Chuba Hubbard?
Fake news circulated all Tuesday on social media about a Dowdle trade.
But as 4 p.m. Approached, that's all that seemed to be out there.
MORE: Travis Hunter's injury leads to Jakobi Meyers trade
Did Rico Dowdle get traded?
No, Rico Dowdle was not traded.
The Panthers' new star RB will be staying put.
It makes sense for Carolina to stand firm here. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in football since taking over for a temporarily injured Hubbard, and even with Hubbard back, Dowdle has remained the leader of this backfield.
The Panthers pulled off the upset over the Packers on Sunday, which pushed their record above.500. No one really expected Carolina to contend for a playoff spot, but they couldn't bring themselves to sell Dowdle from a team with a winning record.
There'll be some Dowdle vs. Hubbard controversy the rest of the season. But the Panthers, apparently, just want to win. Dowdle can help them do that.
More NFL news:
- Commanders have to answer why Jayden Daniels was in the game at all
- Is this RG3 all over again?
- Patrick Mahomes called for bizarre intentional grounding
- Ravens trade for talented pass rusher
- Patriots star used his own Discord server to break his injury news
- Jacoby Brissett's contract might point to a trade