Overview
- The coach said he "cannot ignore" Dowdle's impact and indicated the alternating-series rotation with Chuba Hubbard is likely ending, though no final snap split was announced.
- Dowdle set a franchise mark with 473 scrimmage yards over two games during Hubbard's calf absence and has outgained Hubbard 133 to 65 rushing yards on near-even carries since the starter returned.
- In the Bills loss, Dowdle averaged 6.8 yards on eight carries compared with Hubbard's 2.8 on 12, reinforcing the push to expand Dowdle's workload.
- Hubbard, who signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension in 2024, emphasized a team-first approach as the staff weighs performance against contract realities.
- The 40-9 defeat to Buffalo, including 245 rushing yards allowed, prompted broader run-game review ahead of a Week 9 trip to face a Packers defense ranked near the top against the rush.