Carolina will be missing multiple starters on defense as well as a big absence in the middle of their offensive line.

If Dowdle doesn’t re-sign with the Panthers, he’s positioned himself to be an attractive option on the open market. The Houston Texans can afford to get younger at running back, with Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon set to turn 30 ahead of the 2026 season. Chubb is set to become a free agent, and the Texans can cut Mixon before the last year of his deal.

Everything you need to know about the NFL match between 49ers and Panthers, including live streams, TV channels, kick-off time and more.

The Panthers cannot beat the 49ers. Don’t misconstrue that: The Panthers can win on Monday. They have won six times already this season. But they cannot go toe-to-toe with the 49ers, both teams playing their best, and win. And that makes this game the ultimate litmus test for the Niners.

The Panthers haven’t made the NFL playoffs since 2017. But at 6-5, with six games left, they have a shot to qualify this season.

A pair of NFC playoff hopefuls will meet in the NFL Week 12 finale as the Carolina Panthers visit the San Francisco 49ers on 'Monday Night

The NFL season continues in Week 11 when the Atlanta Falcons host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Start time, how to watch, streaming and NFL schedule.

McCaffrey, who starred for the Panthers from 2017 until they traded him to 49ers in 2022, faces his old Carolina team on Monday night.

"Sunday Night Football" will air live on NBC with Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) on the call. Melissa Stark will be the broadcast's sideline reporter. Fans can stream the game live on Peacock.