Chuba Hubbard is the Panthers’ starting running back, but his backup, Rico Dowdle, is the NFC offensive player of the week after 234 yards from scrimmage on Sunday.

No one was happier for Dowdle than Hubbard, who called Dowdle’s award a foregone conclusion.

“Coach [Dave Canales] brought it up in the team meeting, and I mean we all kind of figured ,” Hubbard said, via the team website. “I mean if they didn’t give it to him, that’s bullshit-, to be honest. He definitely deserved it and more, so just happy to see him get his flowers.”

Hubbard’s calf injury opened the door for Dowdle to do what he did against the Dolphins, and Hubbard did not practice again Wednesday. It would give Dowdle a start against his former team, the Cowboys, and he has already warned them to “buckle up.”

Dowdl

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