Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (illness) is questionable for Sunday night's matchup with the 49ers. He arrived to the stadium with an illness, which would explain his late addition to the injury report. The 26-year-old has only 246 yards off 59 carries, adding 16 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns this season. While he's not the most productive, his upside has earned him at least flex consideration in fantasy lineups. With that said, if Dowdle is sidelined, Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook will presumably split carries, although they are tough to trust.

The Carolina Panthers will not have quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) or running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Dalton is inactive after injuring his right thumb during a minor car accident earlier this week. His absence re-inserts Bryce Young into the Panthers starting lineup for Week 8. Meanwhile, Brooks is still on the non-football injury list after Carolina failed to activate him on Saturday. The rookie still has not made his NFL debut. The Panthers must activate him by November 6; if they don't, Brooks won't be able to play this season. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders will handle most of Carolina's rushing opportunities until Brooks is healthy enough to play.

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is officially active for Week 8 against the Denver Broncos. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after logging a full practice on Friday. The 24-year-old has been active for four games this season, totaling just seven catches and 59 yards. Despite being healthy this week, Tremble is expected to operate as the Panthers' backup tight end behind up-and-coming rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will be back under center for the Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Young was benched after the first two games due to his poor performance. However, he's back to starting with Andy Dalton (thumb) banged up right now. The Panthers are hopeful that his time as the second string helped Young develop his game. It sounds like Young could reclaim the starting gig full-time if he plays well this weekend. However, the Panthers have put Young in a bad spot with both his top wideouts in Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) sidelined on Sunday. Young won't be a recommended fantasy option against a tough Broncos defense.

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday. However, he is still listed as questionable to face the Denver Broncos in Week 8. The 24-year-old was Carolina's top tight end when healthy, but he only caught seven passes through parts of four games. Since his last appearance in Week 5, rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders has taken on a much bigger role offensively, registering 11 receptions and 110 yards over his two most recent games. The stats would suggest that Sanders starts at tight end in Week 8, even if Tremble is healthy enough to play.