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Canales: Panthers will use committee RBs Week 1
Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday that running back Chuba Hubbard is expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard, who strained his hamstring in training camp, is progressing well, but the team plans to use a committee approach with Jonathon Brooks in Week 1.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that starting running back Chuba Hubbard is expected to be ready for the team's Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard strained his hamstring earlier this month in training camp and has not played in a preseason game while working his way back to full strength.
Canales indicated that Hubbard is progressing well and recently reached 20 mph in a straight run, but his cutting has been limited because the Panthers have been cautious. "He's expected to be ready for Week 1," Canales said. "He hit over 20 miles per hour the other day, but that is on a controlled setting and right now we don't want to put him back out there for someone to pull on his jersey and for him to have to pull his way through that. But he's ahead of schedule and he's doing a great job."
Hubbard's Track Record and Recovery Mindset
Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but a calf injury limited him to 511 yards and one score last season. He acknowledged that he was rushed back too soon from that injury and it took him a while to feel fully recovered. When asked how he's feeling as the season approaches, Hubbard grinned and said, "pretty good." He added, "I think the training and coaching staff are just trying to take care of me. Last year I came back a little early and it kind of lingered on a little bit. So I think it's them protecting me from myself a little bit. But I feel good and feel healthy and I'm looking forward to Week 1."
The Panthers' backfield saw a shift last season when Rico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's absence, compiling 652 yards from scrimmage during one three-game stretch, but eventually took a back seat to Hubbard down the stretch. Dowdle was unhappy about his reduced role and left Carolina to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Committee Approach and Brooks' Role
Despite Hubbard's expected availability, Canales indicated the team will use a committee of running backs in Week 1. Hubbard is expected to share carries with Jonathon Brooks, a former second-round draft pick who has struggled with knee injuries during his first two seasons. Brooks is viewed as a more explosive option but has only run nine times for 22 yards since coming to Carolina in 2024.
In the Panthers' second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Brooks started with Hubbard sidelined, playing 11 of the team's first 13 offensive plays, giving way to Trevor Etienne on one third-down play before returning to score a one-yard touchdown. It was Brooks' first game action in 20 months, having missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury after tearing the same ACL he tore at Texas.
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that there will be no limitations for Brooks, and the team hopes he forms "a one-two punch" with Hubbard early before potentially taking over as the starter. Wolfe also noted that Panthers sources say Brooks has looked "incredible" in pad-less spring practices. Kaye, also of NFL Network, said Brooks "looked quick as he bobbed and weaved with the ball in his hands" and "showed no signs of struggle" after a mild hit. Kaye believes Hubbard "will probably take the lion's share of the touches out of the backfield early on," though Hubbard led the backfield in touches in 2023 and 2024.
Canales said the team will "be smart about it" with Hubbard's workload, and neither back is likely to see more than a handful of touches in the upcoming preseason contests.
Other Notes
Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, the team's first-round pick in 2024, suffered a foot injury in Carolina's preseason win over Jacksonville and will miss the remainder of the preseason, currently wearing a boot. Carolina's starters are expected to see extensive work in Wednesday's joint practice with the Houston Texans in Charlotte, and if all goes well, they may not play in the preseason finale. Canales said that decision is "still up in the air," depending on how the team comes out of the practice.
Perspectives
Coach Dave Canales: Expects Hubbard to be ready for Week 1 and plans to use a committee approach at running back to manage his workload, while expressing confidence in Brooks' readiness.
Chuba Hubbard: Feels healthy and looks forward to Week 1, crediting the training staff for protecting him from returning too early after last season's injury.
Fantasy analysts (e.g., Kaye, Wolfe): See Brooks as a rising fantasy option who may eventually take over the starter role, while acknowledging Hubbard's likely larger share of touches early on.
How each outlet told it
Associated Press
Framing: Emphasizes the expectation that Hubbard will be ready for the regular season, without specifying the opponent or game date. — Measured; uses straightforward reporting, e.g., 'expected to be ready' and 'has not played in a preseason game.'
Facts Included:
Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard expected to be ready for Sept. 13 regular-season opener vs. Chicago Bears, per coach Dave Canales, said Monday.
Hubbard strained hamstring earlier this month in training camp, has not played in preseason game.
Canales said Hubbard is progressing well and recently reached 20 mph in a straight run, but cutting limited due to cautious approach.
Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but calf injury limited him to 511 yards and one score last season.
Rico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's place in 2025, but eventually yielded carries to Hubbard down the stretch.
Dowdle was outspoken about reduced role and signed with Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent after the season.
Hubbard expected to share time with Jonathon Brooks, former second-round pick who has struggled with knee injuries but viewed as more explosive option.
Hubbard said he was rushed back too soon from last season's injury and it took him a while to feel fully recovered.
Framing: Emphasizes the expectation that Hubbard will be ready for the season opener vs. the Bears, highlighting the return. — Optimistic and detailed; includes direct quotes that convey Hubbard's confidence and leadership, e.g., 'looking forward to Week 1.'
Facts Included:
Panthers expect starting RB Chuba Hubbard to be ready for season opener vs. Bears.
Hubbard strained hamstring earlier this month in training camp, has yet to play in preseason game.
Canales said Hubbard is progressing well, speed is there, but team reluctant to put him in contact drills.
Canales quote: 'He's expected to be ready for Week 1. He hit over 20 miles per hour the other day, but that is on a controlled setting and right now we don't want to put him back out there for someone to pull on his jersey and for him to have to pull his way through that. But he's ahead of schedule and he's doing a great job.'
Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but calf injury limited him to 511 yards and one score last season.
Rico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's absence in 2025, compiling 652 yards from scrimmage during one three-game stretch, but eventually took back seat to Hubbard down the stretch.
Dowdle was unhappy about reduced role and left Carolina to sign with Pittsburgh Steelers as undrafted free agent.
Hubbard said 'pretty good' when asked how he's feeling; quote about training staff protecting him.
Hubbard expected to share carries with Jonathon Brooks, former second-round pick who has struggled with knee injuries.
Brooks viewed as more explosive option but has only run nine times for 22 yards since coming to Carolina in 2024.
Hubbard entering sixth season, viewed as leader on Panthers team that won NFC South and nearly upset Rams in playoffs.
Legette suffered foot injury in preseason win over Jacksonville, will miss remainder of preseason, has boot on foot.
Starters expected to see extensive work in Wednesday's joint practice with Houston Texans; decision on preseason finale still up in the air per Canales quote.
Framing: Focuses on the committee approach at running back, highlighting Brooks' role and fantasy implications, rather than Hubbard's readiness. — Analytical and fantasy-oriented; uses terms like 'high-upside' and 'risk-reward' and phrases like 'looked dead on arrival.'
Facts Included:
Canales said Panthers will use committee RBs Week 1.
Brooks played 11-of-13 plays over the Panthers’ first two drives, giving way to Trevor Etienne on a 3rd-and-4 play; Brooks subbed back in and scored a one-yard touchdown.
With Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) sidelined, it's tough to draw a complete conclusion, but Brooks looks like the featured running back.
Brooks' first game action in 20 months; Panthers' offense looked dead on arrival against Bills on Saturday.
Brooks started with Hubbard sidelined, validating training camp drumbeat that he'd be in the mix early.
Canales told reporters Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1, but team will 'be smart about it.'
Brooks will make preseason debut this weekend and has turned heads in training camp.
Hubbard's absence gives Brooks cleaner path to touches early.
Brooks currently going as RB30 in Best Ball drafts and has already flipped Hubbard.
Canales wants to see Brooks in live game action during second preseason game; Hubbard expected to mix in as well.
Neither back likely to see more than a handful of touches against Buffalo.
Brooks missed 2025 with a knee injury.
Young enters fourth NFL season with a lot riding on line.
Cameron Wolfe reported 'no limitations' for Brooks (knee).
Team hopes Brooks forms one-two punch with Hubbard before taking over as starter.
Trevor Etienne also got fair share of reps and worked with starters.
Kaye says Brooks 'looked quick' and 'showed no signs of struggle' after mild hit.
Wolfe says team hopes Brooks forms one-two punch with Hubbard early, before taking over in-season.
Brooks became 'Mr. Unlimited' in training camp, per Wolfe; Panthers sources say Brooks has looked 'incredible' in pad-less spring practices.
Brooks available in Rounds 8-9 in best ball formats.
Brooks entered league recovering from torn ACL at Texas, then tore same ACL in third career game, missing 2025 season.
Panthers selected Brooks with No. 46 pick in 2024.
Kaye thinks Hubbard 'will probably take the lion's share of the touches out of the backfield early on.'
Hubbard led backfield in touches in 2023 and 2024.
Backfield rotation in training camp could help clarify things.
Framing: Highlights Hubbard's Canadian identity and the hamstring injury, while noting he's expected to be ready. — Neutral and informative; uses direct quotes to convey facts.
Facts Included:
Panthers expect Canadian RB Hubbard (hamstring) to be ready for season opener.
Game is Sept. 13 against Chicago Bears, per coach Dave Canales said Monday.
Hubbard strained hamstring earlier this month in training camp, has yet to play in preseason game.
Canales said Hubbard is progressing well. His speed is there, but team reluctant to put him in contact drills.
Direct quote from Canales including 'hit over 20 miles per hour' and 'controlled setting'.
Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but calf injury limited him to 511 yards and one score last season.
Rico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's absence in 2025, compiling 652 yards from scrimmage during one three-game stretch, but took back seat down the stretch.
Dowdle was unhappy about reduced role and left to sign with Pittsburgh Steelers as undrafted free agent.
Hubbard said 'pretty good' when asked how he's feeling; quote about 'protecting me from myself'.
Hubbard expected to share carries with Jonathon Brooks, former second-round pick with knee injuries.
Brooks viewed as more explosive but only run nine times for 22 yards since 2024.
Hubbard entering sixth season, viewed as leader on team that won NFC South and nearly upset Rams in playoffs.
Legette sidelined with foot injury from preseason win over Jacksonville, will miss remainder of preseason, has boot on foot.
Decision on starters' playing time vs. Houston undecided; Canales quote about joint practice on Wednesday.
Framing: Emphasizes the regular season opener vs. Bears, without mentioning the specific date in the headline. — Concise and straightforward; uses 'expected' and 'cautious' without additional color.
Facts Included:
Panthers expect starting RB Chuba Hubbard to be ready for regular season opener vs. Bears.
Game is Sept. 13, per coach Dave Canales said Monday.
Hubbard strained hamstring earlier this month in training camp, has not played in a preseason game.
Canales said Hubbard is progressing well and recently reached 20 mph in a straight run, but his cutting has been limited because the Panthers have been cautious.
Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but calf injury limited him to 511 yards and one score last season.
Rico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's place in 2025, but eventually yielded carries to Hubbard down the stretch.
Dowdle was outspoken about his reduced role and signed with Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent after the season.
Hubbard expected to share time with Jonathon Brooks, former second-round pick with knee injuries but viewed as more explosive option.
Hubbard said he was rushed back too soon from last season's injury and it took him a while to feel fully recovered.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimCarolina Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard is expected to be ready for the team's Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears, coach Dave Canales said Monday.
ClaimHubbard strained his hamstring earlier this month in training camp and has not played in a preseason game while working his way back to full strength.
ClaimDave Canales said: "He's expected to be ready for Week 1. He hit over 20 miles per hour the other day, but that is on a controlled setting and right now we don't want to put him back out there for someone to pull on his jersey and for him to have to pull his way through that. But he's ahead of schedule and he's doing a great job."
ClaimRico Dowdle excelled in Hubbard's absence in 2025, compiling 652 yards from scrimmage during one three-game stretch, but eventually took a back seat to Hubbard down the stretch.
ClaimRico Dowdle was outspoken about his reduced role in the offense and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent after the season.
ClaimHubbard is expected to share carries with Jonathon Brooks, a former second-round draft pick who has struggled with knee injuries during his first two seasons in the league.
ClaimHubbard is entering his sixth season and is viewed as one of the leaders on a Panthers team that won the NFC South last season and, despite an 8-9 record, nearly upset the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.
ClaimHubbard said: "I think the training and coaching staff are just trying to take care of me. Last year I came back a little early and it kind of lingered on a little bit. So I think it's them protecting me from myself a little bit. But I feel good and feel healthy and I'm looking forward to Week 1."
ClaimPanthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, the team's first-round pick in 2024, suffered a foot injury in Carolina's preseason win over Jacksonville that will keep him out of the remainder of the preseason.
ClaimCarolina's starters are expected to see extensive work during Wednesday's joint practice with the Houston Texans in Charlotte. If all goes well, they won't play in the preseason finale.
ClaimCoach Dave Canales said: "Yeah, that's still up in the air. Honestly, we have a really, really intense practice planned with the Texans on Wednesday. So, depending on how we come out of that, if we get the volume that we're looking for, the odds are they won't play. ... But we're going to make that decision after the practice."
ClaimBrooks played 11-of-13 plays over the Panthers' first two drives, giving way to RB Trevor Etienne on a 3rd-and-4 play, then subbed back in and scored a one-yard touchdown.