Overview
- Coach Dave Canales, who spoke to reporters Monday, said Chuba Hubbard is expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener and that the Panthers will use a running-back committee with Jonathan Brooks if Hubbard is cleared.
- Hubbard strained a hamstring in training camp, has not played in a preseason game and has been limited to controlled straight-line work where he topped 20 mph while the team restricts cutting and contact.
- Jonathan Brooks, now healthy after consecutive ACL tears, has taken more first-group reps in Hubbard’s absence and is positioned to share meaningful early-down snaps in Week 1.
- Rico Dowdle’s offseason exit to the Pittsburgh Steelers removed a key rotational piece from Carolina’s backfield and increased the immediate workload available to Hubbard and Brooks.
- The planned two-back approach reduces the chance that Hubbard will be the lone workhorse to start the year, which matters for the team’s injury management and for fantasy outlooks as touches will be split early on.