CHARLOTTE — Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back Rico Dowdle has looked good in practice all week, and he's encouraged about the progress he's made with the quadriceps issue that's had him on the injury report the last two weeks.
Dowdle was a full participant on Friday and has no injury designation for the game, meaning he's good to go Sunday against the Falcons.
"Today he looked great," Canales said. "He moved around yesterday, did some things, and got him out there today again, and he's ready to go."
Dowdle was held to 53 rushing yards last week against the Saints, but he still leads the NFC and is third in the league with 788 rushing yards.
He didn't practice Wednesday, and was limited on Thursday.
Chandler Zavala to start at right guard
After missing the Saints game with an elbow injury picked up early against the Packers, Chandler Zavala will return to the starting lineup this week.
Canales referred to leaving the job open for competition after Austin Corbett started there last week.
"When I look at these opportunities, I see these things as competitions that happen where your focus can't be on competing against your teammate, but it is about opportunity, and who can make the most out of it," Canales said. "And so I'm excited for Chandler to get in there and see what he can bring us, you know, in the run game and the pass game."
With Zavala back, the Panthers will have the rare repeat lineup on the field, as this is the group they started with in Weeks 3 and 4 (with Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle, Damien Lewis at left guard, Cade Mays at center, and Taylor Moton at right tackle).
They will have used eight different starting groups in 11 games when that quintet takes the field.
Corbett has started at both guard spots since starting the first two weeks at center before his stint on IR.
"Absolutely, he's invaluable to what we're doing," Canales said of Corbett. "Gives us flexibility inside if somebody does have to come out for whatever reason, he's got a lot of flexibility along the inside of the line."
New look at linebacker
With starter Trevin Wallace out this week with a shoulder issue, the Panthers will get a longer look at Claudin Cherelus with the ones. He's stepped in for Wallace each of the last three weeks and finished games, and he has three years of experience with this staff.
"He did an excellent job," Canales said of Cherelus. "It's great to have Claud around here for a while now, in scheme, and to understand what we're requiring of the inside linebackers to play. And really loved the way he finished last game, and then he had a great week just playing physical and being in tune with the calls and the different situations."
Canales did not disclose whether Cherelus or Christian Rozeboom would wear the green dot and call the defensive signals, though both have done it.
View some of the best shots of Thursday's practice as the Panthers' prepare for their Week 11 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers hold practice on Nov. 13, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
