Player News

• Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Gets new backup

  11D ago • By RotoWire

  The Panthers are signing Rico Dowdle to replace Miles Sanders (free agent) as Hubbard's backup, ESPN.com reports. Hubbard and Dowdle both were lead backs last year, but there doesn't seem to be any doubt about whose show it will be in 2025, considering the former signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension. Dowdle settled for a one-year deal with a reported base value of $3 million, which suggests NFL teams view him as a backup-caliber player even after he ran for 1,079 yards in Dallas last year. Hubbard is the better pure runner, and generally a superior player, but it is possible he cedes more of the backfield work in 2025 (compared to last season) if Carolina's coaches like Dowdle more than they liked Sanders. There's no indication Hubbard's calf and knee injuries from the end of 2024 will be a problem for the upcoming season, whereas 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks figures to miss significant time after tearing his right ACL for the second time in two years.

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• Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Won't need surgery

  12/30/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hubbard (calf/knee), who is on IR, won't need any surgery in the offseason, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. Hubbard put together a career-best season for the Panthers, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries while adding 171 yards and one touchdown on 43 receptions. However, the 25-year-old will finish the campaign on IR after suffering a Grade 2 calf strain late in the season. Since Hubbard won't need surgery on either the calf or the knee, he's likely to be ready to play by the start of the 2025 campaign. He's expected to be Carolina's top running back next season after signing a four-year contract extension this November.

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• Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Lands on IR

  12/28/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hubbard (calf/knee) has been placed on IR by the Panthers, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports. Hubbard, who was limited at practice Friday, was initially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. However, after practice Hubbard noted that he was dealing with some pain, and an MRI Friday night revealed a Grade 2 calf strain. With Hubbard sidelined for Carolina's final two games, Raheem Blackshear, as well as practice squad members Mike Boone and Emani Bailey, are next up for the team's backfield work. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Blackshear and Boone (pending his elevation) are likely to share RB duties versus Tampa Bay.

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• Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Expected to land on IR

  12/28/2024 • By RotoWire

  The Panthers are expected to place Hubbard -- who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers -- on injured reserve due to a calf and knee injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero report. Per Pelissero, the injury that is slated to lead to the anticipated roster move is not considered major, but the 4-11 Panthers, who are not in playoff contention, don't want to make it worse. In Hubbard's looming absence for the team's final two games, Raheem Blackshear is on track to see an expanded role, with Mike Boone and Emani Bailey candidates to be elevated from Carolina's practice squad.

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• Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Status in question for Sunday

  12/27/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hubbard (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Hubbard's listed DNP on Wednesday was attributed to rest, but he's since managed a pair of limited sessions due to a knee injury, leaving his status up in the air for Week 17. The Panthers will confirm his availability, or lack thereof, about 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's able to suit up, Hubbard will be taking on a Buccaneers defense that contained him to 43 yards on 12 carries back in Week 13.

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