Panthers News
[the_ad id=”105842″]Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard missed Thursday’s practice with a calf injury, marking his second consecutive absence as the team prepares for Sunday’s game against Miami. Hubbard did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through and was held out again Thursday. Head coach Dave Canales described the starting running back as day-to-day when asked about his status. The calf needs more treatment and more time, Canales said Thursday. He declined to provide a specific timeline beyond the day-to-day designation. Hubbard is coming off a career-best 2024 season when he rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries. The Panthers rewarded him with a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million in November.
If Hubbard cannot play Sunday, Carolina would turn to veteran Rico Dowdle to handle the lead back duties. Dowdle signed with the Panthers in free agency after rushing for 1,079 yards last season with Dallas. Dowdle has carried the ball 19 times for 51 yards and one touchdown through four games. The North Carolina native played collegiately at South Carolina before spending four years with the Cowboys.
Rookie Trevor Etienne also factors into Carolina’s backfield rotation. The fourth-round pick from Georgia has seen limited action but provides speed as a change-of-pace option. Etienne also serves as the team’s primary kick returner.
The Panthers enter Week 5 with a 1-3 record following losses to Jacksonville, Arizona, and New England. Their lone victory came in Week 3 when they shut out Atlanta 30-0 at home. Canales said he loves the way Hubbard approaches his work and handles his business. The running back has established himself as a leader in the locker room despite not wearing a captain’s patch.
Hubbard was a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State. He spent his first two seasons backing up Christian McCaffrey before taking over as the starter midway through the 2023 season.
The Panthers made significant changes to their running back room during the offseason. They signed Dowdle and drafted Etienne after second-round pick Jonathon Brooks suffered his second career ACL tear and will miss the entire 2025 season. The Panthers practice again on Friday before releasing their final injury report. Hubbard’s participation Friday will provide a clearer picture of his availability for the Dolphins game.
Miami enters Sunday’s matchup at Bank of America Stadium with a 1-3 record. The game kicks off at 1:00 PM ET and will be televised on FOX.
Carolina has not yet ruled out Hubbard for the contest.
The team will make a final determination on his status after reviewing how he responds to treatment over the next two days.
Other players who did not practice Thursday included defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton with a toe injury, cornerback Chau Smith-Wade with a chest injury and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with an ankle injury.
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