Sports

Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is slated to become a free agent in March, and he thinks every week about what kind of message his play is sending to any team that will want to sign a running back next year.

"Every week is an audition for me, being on a one-year contract," Dowdle told reporters in the Panthers' locker room. "All 31 teams are always watching. So I wouldn't say just this week in particular but I definitely know I've got to go out there and do my best."

Dowdle entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Cowboys in 2020, played on minimum-salary contracts throughout his time in Dallas, and then signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Panthers this season.

After starting this season as a backup to Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle made a big impact when Hubbard got hurt and has 168 carries for 833 yards in 11 games this season. Dowdle has played well enough that he's likely to get the biggest contract of his career in four months, and he knows every week is an opportunity to earn more money in 2026.

During training camp, the NFL sent a memo to teams prohibiting them from providing smelling salts to players, citing a player-safety issue. The league, though, couldn’t ban ammonia packets without approval from the NFLPA.

Thus, players, including 49ers tight end George Kittle, are still allowed to use smelling salts as long as they provide their own supply.

Kittle, who jokingly said he "considered retirement" after hearing of the ban, uses smelling salts before every offensive possession. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that at least half of his teammates "use them most of the time."

Kittle supplied his teammates with the inhalants during the preseason but kept running out of them. So, he vowed to empty an "old-school" bucket of cheese balls and fill it with smelling salts for the regular season.

“During the preseason games, I was the only one who was taking initiative, and the D-line completely wiped me out in back-to-back games,” Kittle told Eric Branch of the Chronicle.

49ers guard Nick Zakelj has used ammonia packets since high school.

“It’s a meathead thing: Like, let me get juiced up before I go out there,” Zakelj told the newspaper.

The NFL's policy came after an FDA warning about the safety or efficacy of ammonia inhalants. According to the Chronicle's reporting, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee's recommendation followed Bills quarterback Josh Allen receiving an ammonia packet from a team employee as he emerged from the sideline medical tent after being cleared of a concussion against the Texans last season.

The ban, though, has not deterred players from using inhalants.

“I don’t overthink it too much, but I’m also not too worried about them not providing it either,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I feel like George will find a way.”

He has, and he will.

The 49ers probably wish receiver Brandon Aiyuk hadn't changed his mind at the last minute about a possible trade to the Steelers.

Since that moment, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension that, with his fifth-year option, put him under contract through 2028. He played in seven games, catching 25 passes for 374 yards, before suffering a torn ACL. He hasn't played since then.

Now, with Aiyuk otherwise owed $26.15 million fully guaranteed in 2026, TheAthletic.com reports that the 49ers have voided the future guarantees. The team argued that Aiyuk, per the report, "failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months."

And while this otherwise would have set the stage for a high-stakes grievance, Aiyuk reportedly decided not to contest the move.

The situation suggests the 49ers will release Aiyuk after the season. He also could be traded, in theory. His next team would assume the non-guaranteed financial obligation next season.

The easiest move at this point would be a clean break. The 49ers will have $29.585 million in cap charges to absorb. If he's released with a post-June 1 designation, the cap hits would be $8.338 million in 2026 and $21.247 million in 2027.

Either way, Aiyuk will exit with $48.15 million for two years — and only seven games.