Panthers RB Rico Dowdle warns Cowboys about revenge spot

Long before Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle accumulated 234 total yards from scrimmage in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys let Dowdle reach free agency after he rushed for 1,079 yards with Dallas last season. 

Following the victory that improved the Panthers to 2-3 on the campaign, Dowdle sent a message to his former employer regarding the upcoming home game against the 2-2-1 Cowboys that will take place this coming Sunday.

Rico Dowdle warns Cowboys about revenge

"They got to buckle up,'' Dowdle said about the Cowboys, per David Newton of ESPN. "I think they know for sure. They didn't keep me there for five years for no reason.''

Dowdle was referencing how he featured for the Cowboys from 2020 through the 2024 season. Against the Dolphins, he rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries to go along with 28 receiving yards. Dowdle served as Carolina's RB1 with Chuba Hubbard sidelined due to a calf injury. 

Meanwhile, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has repeatedly made it known that one reason he agreed to trade pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft selections and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark in late August was that Dallas needed to bolster its run defense. According to ESPN stats, the Cowboys entered Monday allowing 127.4 rushing yards per game (ranked 23rd). 

"They know I'm a violent runner,'' Dowdle added. "I'm looking forward to getting to the second level on them. They've just got to buckle up.''

Dave Canales expects violence from Rico Dowdle

Following what was a badly needed win, Panthers head coach Dave Canales also suggested the Dallas defense should prepare to see a motivated Dowdle in Week 6. 

"It's the attitude he ran with, the violence that he ran with, finishing through arm tackles, something that we've been challenging our guys on,'' Canales said about Dowdle. "When we get to that second level, have a plan for how you finish. I saw a great finish today out of Rico.''

As of Monday morning, ESPN BET had the Panthers as 3.5-point home underdogs against the Cowboys. It sounds like Dowdle could use that information as bulletin-board material heading into what he hopes will turn into a revenge spot.