Rico Dowdle appeared on the Carolina Panthers' injury report with a quadriceps injury that put his availability for Sunday on question. Dowdle's absence would be a very lucky break for the New Orleans Saints defense that's struggled to defend the run this year.
The Panthers are one of the more unexpected stories in the National Football League this year, currently in second place in the NFC South, and Dowdle is a big reason for that. He's currently third in the league in rushing yards with 735. Additionally, about 88.7% of those yards have been since week five, when he was named the team's starter.