The Panthers have another training camp injury on their hands, but this one comes with a much better outlook than the others.
Carolina has already taken hits with Chris Brazzell II and Nic Scourton both going down for the season earlier in camp. Now Chuba Hubbard is dealing with a hamstring injury, though head coach Dave Canales said the running back is only considered week-to-week, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person.
Canales said he is “very confident” Hubbard will be ready for Week 1 against the Bears and expects him back at practice well before then.
For now, the Panthers are moving ahead without him. Canales said Jonathon Brooks will start at running back against the Bills on Saturday, with Trevor Etienne and A.J. Dillion also in the mix.
That setup matters for Brooks. Carolina plans to have Hubbard and Brooks share the backfield during the 2026 season, and Hubbard’s absence gives Brooks a chance to build momentum. That opportunity carries extra weight after Brooks has battled multiple ACL injuries during his career.
The Panthers are clearly intrigued by what Brooks can bring, but Hubbard still has a role to play in this offense.
In 2025, Hubbard finished with 134 carries for 511 rushing yards and one touchdown. His workload dipped after Rico Dowdle took over as the team’s leading rusher, but Hubbard still averaged 3.8 yards per carry in a supporting role.
There’s also the bigger question of which version of Hubbard Carolina gets this fall. In 2024, he ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Panthers kept climbing.
Carolina’s offseason also brought major defensive additions, including Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. If that group performs, Hubbard and Brooks could find more room to work in 2026, especially in games that get out of hand early.
For now, though, all eyes are on Hubbard’s recovery and whether he can be ready when the season opens against Chicago.
In Other News...
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Haynes Kings showing in the NFL Hall of Fame Game gave the Panthers something more than a strong preseason snapshot. He looked sharper as a passer and dangerous with his legs, the kind of dual-threat performance that can force a coaching staff to think beyond the usual quarterback script. Even with Bryce Young still established as Carolinas starter, Kings speed and rushing ability have opened the door to more creative usage if the team wants to squeeze another playmaker onto the field.
That possibility is where the intrigue starts. ESPNs Adam Schefter reported the Panthers could explore using King as a dynamic threat in the backfield or from the slot, which would put his skill set in a very different lane from a standard backup quarterback role. If Carolina goes that direction, it could mean more hybrid formations and more pressure on defenses to account for King as a runner or receiver, leaving the bigger question of how far the Panthers are willing to reshape the offense around that idea. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Bubble Battles Are Starting To Take Shape After Debut
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Special teams, meanwhile, already looks settled in one area, with JJ Jansen at long snapper, Sam Martin at punter and Ryan Fitzgerald at kicker all sitting in firm spots without competition. For the rest of the bubble crowd, though, the work is only getting more intense as the Panthers sort through who can make enough of an impression to stick through the rest of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Give Bryce Young Another Proven Weapon For NFC Push
The Panthers have made another move to bolster the passing game, agreeing to a one-year contract with former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Waller arrives with recent stops in Miami and New York on his rsum, and Carolina is counting on him to add both depth and proven receiving ability as it continues shaping the offense around Bryce Young.
For a team looking ahead to the 2026 season, this is the kind of addition that can matter in more ways than one. The Panthers have spent plenty of time trying to give Young a steadier set of options, and Waller brings a track record that should make him an immediate focal point in that effort. The real question now is how quickly Carolina can turn this into a more productive and more flexible attack. [Read more 🡒]