Panthers Facing Chuba Hubbard Decision After RB Moves

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard just had his heaviest workload of the season and a flurry of moves could change the plan moving forward.

by Xavier Constantino

Oct 21, 2026

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard just had his heaviest workload of the season and a flurry of moves could change the plan moving forward.

Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Chuba Hubbard carried the ball 28 times for 120 yards and a touchdown in the Carolina Panthers’ 25-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, his heaviest workload of the season.

It was the second straight game in which Hubbard topped 120 rushing yards. He also punched in a 1-yard score early in the fourth quarter, his fourth rushing touchdown through five games, as Carolina improved to 3-2 and kept its hold on the NFC South lead.

Hubbard had to shoulder the load for the Panthers’ running game as it was thinned out by injuries. Jonathan Brooks is on injured reserve and AJ Dillon sat out with an ankle injury. Trevor Etienne was activated for the first time this season, but Hubbard was still the main man.

Oct 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Carolina hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 25, and giving Hubbard close to 30 carries would be a heavy ask this early into the season. A calf strain kept him out for a couple of weeks last season, and the team would be wise to keep his workload in check.

The Panthers now have new options as Carolina officially signed running back Tre Tyus to the 53-man roster, according to ESPN’s Mike Kaye. Tyus was brought up for Sunday’s game and was part of a special teams play that nearly blocked a punt.

Dillon and offensive lineman Monroe Freeling were also back stretching with the team after missing Sunday’s win, Kaye reported.

Dillon signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in March and opened the season as the No. 3 back behind Chuba Hubbard and Brooks. If he is healthy, he and Tyus give the Panthers a way to lighten the load on Hubbard without abandoning a ground game that carried them on Sunday.