Overview
- Rico Dowdle clarified that his dizzy-face emoji after the 20-9 loss to the 49ers expressed frustration over missed chances to run the ball.
- Dowdle logged six carries for 38 yards as Carolina’s backs had just nine attempts despite the 49ers showing light boxes, per team and player accounts.
- Head coach Dave Canales told the team he must be more balanced as the play-caller and will retain those duties while emphasizing improvement starting this week.
- Carolina converted three first-half interceptions by Brock Purdy into only three points, including a first-and-goal sequence that ended with a Bryce Young end‑zone interception.
- Bryce Young voiced trust in Canales and kept discussions in-house, while fan scrutiny intensified and Dowdle’s contract-year usage remained a talking point.