The Carolina Panthers have been without starting linebacker Chuba Hubbard for a couple of weeks now. Hubbard is currently nursing a hamstring injury.
At the time, head coach Dave Canales said it was a “legit” injury, but he wasn’t concerned about the veteran long-term. In the meantime, Jonathon Brooks has been tasked with RB1 duties.
Brooks has looked explosive and exciting at camp, but his performances have been less inspiring in the preseason. As a result, there’s some question as to how the team will handle the running back rotation in 2026.
Well, Canales offered an encouraging update on Monday that sheds some light.
Hubbard to Be Ready For Week 1
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On Monday, Canales spoke with the media, and naturally, the coach was asked about Hubbard.
“Absolutely,” Canales said when asked if Hubbard would be ready to roll for the season-opener. “He’s ahead of schedule. He’s doing a great job.”
Hubbard also spoke to the media himself and confirmed that he feels good and will be ready to roll.
“Yeah, to be honest, I feel pretty good,” Hubbard revealed. “I think the coaches are just — and obviously the training staff — are just trying to take care of me. Obviously, last year I kind of came back a little early and it kind of lingered on for a little bit, so I think it’s just them kind of protecting me from myself a little bit. I would have been out the next day if I could’ve, but I feel good, I feel healthy. Looking forward to Week 1.”
It’s definitely encouraging that Hubbard said he could have been playing this whole time if he needed to. The Panthers played it smart by letting the veteran rest, and it also provided a chance to see what Brooks can do.
Speaking of that, Canales also provided an update on the running back plan.
Panthers to Use Brooks and Hubbard
For much of the summer, the thinking has been that Brooks and Hubbard will split RB1 duties. Well, Canales admitted that’s what’s going to happen.
“We’ll definitely roll it out just the way we have been, where you have a lead back for the series, the other guy comes in on third down so they can be in there for the protection, and also we run the ball on third down,” Canales explained.
That’s a smart plan, considering Hubbard is coming off an injury, and Brooks has yet to have a healthy NFL season.
“So those are good opportunities to just keep a guy into the game while the other person, whether it’s Chuba or JB, we’ll make that decision when we get closer. But whoever the lead guy for the base downs is, they’ll get the bulk of that rhythm so that they can kind of feel what’s happening with the fronts and how the defense is trying to play as well,” Canales added.
The biggest unknown right now is how good Brooks can be. There’s a reason he was one of the top running backs in his draft class, but we just haven’t been able to see him on the field much.
Hubbard shouldn’t be slept on, either, as he did have a 1,000-yard season as recently as 2024.
