Dowdle is expected to start Sunday's game at Green Bay and take a majority of carries, with Chuba Hubbard still part of the offense in a lesser role, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

The writing was on the wall Monday when Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters, "We cannot ignore the fact that [Dowdle] has been exceptional." Canales also mentioned how much Hubbard has meant to the organization, which is perhaps a hint that Dowdle won't have strong job security even if he does take on much larger workloads in the short term. Dowdle and Hubbard largely alternated drives the past two weeks, with neither providing much fantasy production even though Dowdle's per-touch efficiency remained strong. Maintaining that efficiency Week 9 will be difficult, to say the least, as the Panthers are dealing with a slew of offensive line injuries while facing a top defense on the road.

Head coach Dave Canales hinted Monday that he's inclined to give Dowdle the bulk of the Panthers' carries rather than having him split work evenly with Chuba Hubbard, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports. "Chuba has meant a lot to this organization and certainly to the identity that we want to build and we wanted to give him the opportunity to go out there and to continue to impact our team in a positive way," Canales said. "But we cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional... We love tempo and violence that he is running with. These are things we are looking back on the last four games and really taking a snapshot of what has been successful for us."

While Hubbard was sidelined with a calf injury in Weeks 5 and 6, Dowdle took full advantage of his opportunity to serve as Carolina's lead back, amassing 473 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in wins over the Dolphins and Cowboys. In the two games since Hubbard returned, he alternated series with the offseason signing, but Dowdle has handily been the more productive back, averaging 5.3 yards on 25 carries compared to the incumbent's 2.5 yards on 26 carries. Though Hubbard may be on the field for the first snap Sunday in Green Bay, Canales' comments point to the touches tilting more dramatically in Dowdle's favor.

Dowdle rushed eight times for 54 yards and wasn't targeted in the Panthers' 40-9 loss to the Bills on Sunday. He also returned one kickoff for 29 yards.

Dowdle logged four fewer carries than backfield mate Chuba Hubbard, but he outgained the latter by 20 rushing yards. In the two games since Hubbard's return from a calf injury, Dowdle has 123 rushing yards on 25 carries to his teammate's 26-65-1 line on the ground in the same span, but the two are likely to continue working in a close workload split during a Week 9 road tilt against the Packers next Sunday afternoon.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Judkins (shoulder) is "day-to-day," Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Judkins (shoulder) won't return to Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Judkins rushed 25 times for 84 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' 31-16 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Shaheed (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at the Rams, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Shaheed (hip) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Shaheed was limited in practice Wednesday due to a hip injury.

Noel brought in five of six targets for 63 yards in the Texans' 26-15 win over the 49ers on Sunday. He also logged two punt returns for 11 yards.

Noel hauled in four of seven targets for 77 yards in Monday's 27-19 loss to the Seahawks.

Noel could be in line for more playing time in Monday's game at Seattle with Christian Kirk (hamstring) ruled out for the contest, Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Johnson caught five of eight targets for 53 yards during Sunday's 23-3 loss versus the Buccaneers.

Johnson (neck) won't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Johnson (neck) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.