The Carolina Panthers are holding their breath. Star running back Chuba Hubbard is sidelined with a calf strain that kept him out of Week 5, and his status for the upcoming clash with the Dallas Cowboys remains uncertain.
The team is taking a cautious, day-to-day approach with its offensive centerpiece, leaving fans and coaches wondering if their top weapon will be ready for Week 6.
Will Chuba Hubbard Play in Week 6?
Hubbard’s status for Week 6 is leaning toward another absence. Head coach Dave Canales said the team will reassess him throughout the week, but the signs point to Hubbard sitting out again. Hubbard missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which was a bad sign for his availability. He was then officially ruled out of Week 6 after missing practice on Friday.
The calf issue surfaced late in Week 4 preparation, which kept Hubbard off the practice field before the team’s Week 5 game. He logged three straight DNPs before the Panthers officially ruled him out against the Miami Dolphins.
With no practice work last week and a strong relief performance from Rico Dowdle, the path for Hubbard to play on Sunday looked narrow. This is a different calf than the Grade 2 strain that ended Hubbard’s 2024 season on injured reserve in late December. By avoiding that designation this time, the Panthers suggest a shorter recovery window, though any setback could prove costly.
Despite Carolina’s previous game showing their ability to perform without Hubbard, their offense has faced challenges over the last five games. The unit has earned a C-minus grade and a 72.7 PFSN Offense Impact score, ranking 20th in the league. The team’s 2-3 record reflects an attack still searching for consistency under offensive coordinator Brad Idzik.
What Happens With Hubbard Out Again?
Since Hubbard cannot go, Rico Dowdle will take over as the lead back. Dowdle erupted for 206 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 5 after logging just 83 yards on 28 carries through the first four games as Hubbard’s backup.
Trevor Etienne would serve as the secondary option behind Dowdle. A rookie out of Florida, Etienne would get a chance to showcase his skills in an expanded role if the Panthers remain cautious with their starter.
Through four games before the injury, Hubbard totaled 53 carries for 217 yards while adding 13 receptions for 94 yards and two receiving touchdowns. PFSN’s Running Back Impact metric graded him at 75.2 with a C rating, ranking 25th among qualifying backs.
The team’s caution is understandable given its investment in him. The Panthers signed Hubbard to a four-year, $33.2 million extension last November after his breakout 1,195-yard, 11-touchdown season. That deal included a $15 million guarantee, cementing his role as the franchise’s long-term running back solution despite the current soft-tissue setback.
Fantasy Outlook for Hubbard and Rico Dowdle
Hubbard (calf) missed just his fifth career game last week, and it seems he may once again be sidelined for a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys that is as good as it gets.
Thus far, Hubbard is roughly two PPR points per game behind where he finished last season, but that’s more of a Panthers stat than one for their RB1. This season, he’s actually produced 1.2% over expectations given his usage, up from his 2.6% below mark from 2024.
I don’t think we are looking at a game-changer as much as a high-floor player, but there certainly is value in that, and that’s why he remains in my top 20 for the rest of the season.
This week? RB1 numbers are very much in the conversation for either Hubbard or Dowdle.
Since Hubbard is out, Dowdle is a must-start in fantasy football for this Cowboys revenge game.
Peak behind the curtain: “Wow, 97 scrimmage yards in the first half for Dowdle. Save for if he falls off after the half but still has strong counting numbers.”
That was a note I jotted down in real time during the Panthers game last week.
As it turns out, it was noteworthy, but for a different reason: he was better in the second half of the win over the Dolphins! When all was said-and-done, he racked up 234 yards of offense and was the fantasy story of the week.
Now what? We saw him clear 1,000 rushing yards with Dallas last season, but that was more of a volume thing than anything impressive talent wise (3.7% production below expectation). He certainly looked the part of a game-changer last week (+62.8%), though the opponent should be noted.
I’m not sure the performance was overly predictive for Dowdle, but with Hubbard (calf) likely out and another ultra-enticing matchup ahead (sixth-most PPR RB points allowed), we might get a chance to use Dowdle for another week with top-20 expectations.
Carolina’s lead back has gotten his hands on the ball at least 19 times in three of five games and because I think this game will be competitive, such a projection is very possible for Dowdle should Hubbard miss another game.
If that’s not the case, we might be looking at a 60/40 type of split in a below-average offense where you’re not comfortable playing either.