CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are serious about running the ball, so they added to the backfield Wednesday night.
The team has agreed to terms with running back Rico Dowdle on a one-year deal.
The Asheville native and University of South Carolina standout will be coming home to become part of what could be an extremely productive backfield.
Dowdle, 26, had a breakout year with the Cowboys last season, rushing for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns and catching 39 passes for 249 yards and another three scores.
That 1,328 yards from scrimmage was 20th in the league.

The Panthers have a starting running back in Chuba Hubbard (who was 15th in yards from scrimmage with 1,366 yards), and they extended Hubbard last season to be the guy for the long-term.
But the Panthers always want to have two backs at the ready, which is why they drafted Jonathon Brooks in the second round last year. Brooks is expected to miss most of the season after tearing his ACL again last year.
The Panthers released Miles Sanders on Tuesday.
Take a look at some of the best shots of Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard.



















