The Carolina Panthers have placed running back Chuba Hubbard on injured reserve. On Friday, an MRI revealed a calf strain, ending Hubbard’s impressive season. Hubbard was having the best year of his career, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns. Despite their 4-11 record, Carolina has had a resurgence this season, where they are competing nearly every week against good teams. Much of that success can be attributed to Hubbard’s production and improvement. The Panthers have two games remaining this season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, where they will have to finish the season without their star running back.
Chuba Hubbard’s Excellent Season
This injury especially stings the Panthers because Chuba Hubbard is coming off one of his best games of the season. Against the Arizona Cardinals, Hubbard rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. It was the fourth game this season where Hubbard eclipsed 100 rushing yards and his second game with two rushing touchdowns. When the game went into overtime, tied 30-30, Chuba Hubbard essentially won the game for the Panthers. After the defense forced a punt, Hubbard got the ball and pulled off a 28-yard rush. Then, on the very next play, Hubbard ran through tacklers for a 21-yard, game-winning touchdown.
Hubbard has had other great games this season. Against the New York Giants, Hubbard rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown. Against the Eagles, he had 92 yards and a touchdown. Many point to the Panthers’ reinserting Bryce Young as the starting quarterback as the turnaround for Carolina. But Chuba Hubbard has been a positive contributor for the Panthers all season long. He rushed for over 90 yards in seven out of 15 games played and had over five yards per carry in seven games. He has proven himself as a workhorse back, able to take on extensive carries. Hubbard has had multiple games with over 25 carries and has done so behind a weak offensive line.
This season has been Chuba Hubbard’s best by far. With 15 games played, he’s already crushed his previous career-highs in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. This season, Hubbard has rushed for 1,195 yards. His previous career-high was 902 yards last season. Hubbard has 10 touchdowns this season when his previous career-high was five. He was getting more burn in the Carolina Panthers than ever before and was taking full advantage. Unfortunately, Chuba Hubbard’s career-high season will come to an early end.
Where the Panthers Go from Here
With only two games left in the season, the Carolina Panthers will need to find other options at running back. Jonathan Brooks was drafted by the Panthers in the second round and was expected to back up Hubbard after recovering from a torn ACL. But not long after he came back, Brooks tore his ACL again and will be out for the foreseeable future. Miles Sanders is also on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, so there is no clear option to take over. The Carolina Panthers are likely to split carries in Chuba Hubbard’s absence, and some running backs that could step up are Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone.
The Panthers could sign another back, but with only two games left, it might not be worth it. Regardless, it will be tough to replace the production of Chuba Hubbard. But at 4-11, the Panthers have nothing to play for. They are eliminated from playoff contention and even if they lose the rest of the way, it will help their draft position. For Chuba Hubbard, it is unfortunate for his breakout season to end with an injury. But, if the calf strain does not develop into anything more serious, he should be ready to come back strong for another 1,000-yard season.
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