Panthers News
[the_ad id=”105842″]The Carolina Panthers have officially ruled out running back Chuba Hubbard for Sunday’s Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins due to a calf injury. He did not practice all week and will miss his first game of the 2025 season.
Hubbard sustained the calf injury during Carolina’s Week 4 loss to the New England Patriots. He played through the injury in that game but logged a season-low snap share. The veteran back was held out of Wednesday’s walk-through and remained sidelined for Thursday and Friday practices, signaling his absence was likely before the team made it official Friday afternoon. The Panthers confirmed the decision through their injury report released Friday. Hubbard joins a list of inactive players for the home contest at Bank of America Stadium. The game kicks off at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on Sunday with FOX carrying the broadcast.
What Are The Odds?
The NFL Odds for this game have shifted slightly; the Dolphins are currently 1.5 favorites, but a lot of pick’em experts were thinking about taking the Panthers as a spoiler at home. With Hubbard out of the game it’ll be interesting to see if the line continues to move and if many top sharks change their pick. The Panthers’ running was good, not great, but the change in the backfield may be enough for people to rethink this game.
Next Man Up
Rico Dowdle will step into the starting role for Carolina’s backfield. Dowdle signed with the Panthers in March 2025 after rushing for over 1,000 yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. He has served as the backup through the first four weeks of the season, carrying nine times for 32 yards in last week’s loss to New England.
Rookie Trevor Etienne will see expanded duties behind Dowdle. The Panthers selected Etienne in the fourth round of the 2025 draft out of Georgia. He has primarily handled kick return responsibilities but will now receive additional touches as a change-of-pace option in the running game.
The Panthers enter Week 5 with a 1-3 record following their 42-13 defeat in New England. Their lone victory came in Week 3 when they shut out the Atlanta Falcons 30-0 at home. Miami also sits at 1-3 after defeating the New York Jets on Monday night.
Carolina faces a critical stretch with home games in Weeks 5 and 6. After hosting the Dolphins, the Panthers welcome the Dallas Cowboys on October 12. The team hopes Hubbard can make enough progress during the week to return for that matchup, though no timeline has been established for his recovery. Head coach Dave Canales did not provide additional comment on Hubbard’s status beyond the official injury designation. The Panthers have not placed Hubbard on injured reserve, suggesting the team expects a short-term absence.
Sunday’s game marks the second consecutive week Carolina will play without key contributors. The Panthers continue adjusting their roster and game plans as injuries mount during the early portion of the season.
[the_ad id=”108370″]
[the_ad id=”104525″]
