The Carolina Panthers have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Week 5 clash against the Miami Dolphins, with running back Chuba Hubbard set to miss the game.
#Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard, who has been dealing with a calf injury the last couple of weeks and hasn't practiced this week, is expected to miss Sunday's game against the #Dolphins, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Rico Dowdle is the team's backup. pic.twitter.com/alRA3uQaQV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2025
The team’s leading rusher has been ruled out of the Sunday fixture with a calf injury, leaving the Panthers in desperate need of a running back.
The news is a major setback for the Panthers, who are looking to secure a vital victory against the Dolphins.
Hubbard has been dealing with the calf issue for some time and aggravated the injury in the last game.
The player’s absence will force the Panthers to adjust their offensive strategy and will give a chance to the team's backup running backs to step up.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
The details of Chuba Hubbard’s injury
The 26-year-old running back missed both Wednesday and Thursday practices with a calf injury, and reports suggest he is not expected to play in the Sunday game.
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The official injury report is set to be released later today, but the trend points to him being sidelined.
The injury is a major blow for the Panthers, as Hubbard leads the team with 217 yards rushing through four games.
The team’s head coach, Dave Canales, described his starting running back as "day-to-day," but the player’s absence from practice suggests he is not ready to return.
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Who will replace Hubbard against Miami
The absence of Chuba Hubbard means that the Panthers will have to rely on their backup running backs to step up.
Rico Dowdle is expected to be the starting running back and handle the bulk of the workload, with rookie Trevor Etienne also likely to get snaps.
Dowdle, who had a career-high 1,079 yards rushing last season for the Dallas Cowboys, is a talented player who will be looking to make an immediate impact.
The Panthers will be hoping that Dowdle can replicate his previous form and keep the team's running game on track.
The match is a crucial one for the Panthers, and the absence of a key player will be a major factor in the game.
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