The Carolina Panthers may be looking at a backfield dilemma they had not foreseen with Week 5 approaching. One of the key contributors, Chuba Hubbard, has now gone through a calf problem at the worst possible time.
He was able to power through the injury in Week 4, but the signs this week are not so encouraging. The bigger and longer-term issue is whether the Panthers can risk another setback in their Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Chuba Hubbard Misses Consecutive Practices Ahead of Week 5
ESPN reporter David Newton shared that Hubbard was not practicing for the Panthers on Thursday. In his post, he stated, “Chuba Hubbard isn’t practicing for the #Panthers today. Could be Rico Dowdle this week. After him it is rookie Trevor Etienne.”
Panthers head coach Dave Canales spoke about Hubbard’s calf injury in a press conference, saying that the veteran running back was unable to participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough due to the same calf issue that had bothered him the week before.
Canales also mentioned that the injury has gotten worse since last week, stressing that the team is handling it very carefully. He referred to Hubbard’s status as “day-to-day” but pointed out that more treatment is necessary before they can decide if he’ll be ready for the game against Miami.
He said, “The calf needs more treatment, the calf needs more time”.
On Friday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport dropped a concerning update on Hubbard. “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 Mike Garafolo,” he wrote on X. “Rico Dowdle is the team’s backup.”
#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
Later in the day, the Panthers officially ruled out Hubbard for the Week 5 matchup against the Dolphins.
The calf injury first showed up during last Thursday’s practice as the Panthers were getting ready for their game against the New England Patriots. Even with this hurdle, Hubbard was able to participate in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday before the Week 4 game.
This Wednesday, Hubbard was absent from Wednesday’s walkthrough session, which marked the start of Week 5 preparations for the Panthers. Five players, including Hubbard (calf) and right tackle Taylor Moton (non-injury-related), were held out. The Panthers’ official injury report for Wednesday showed Hubbard as DNP (did not participate) because of his calf.
On Thursday, Hubbard was absent from practice again, leading to concerns about his readiness for the game on Sunday. His Thursday injury report status was non-participant due to the calf issue.
With Hubbard out, the Panthers will now rely on Rico Dowdle, rookie Trevor Etienne, and DeeJay Dallas as their healthy running backs. Based on PFSN’s Running Back Impact metric, Hubbard is currently the 16th-best player at his position in the league.
Dowdle, who has been listed on the injury report this season for rest purposes, fully engaged in practices last week and this week. Etienne, a rookie fourth-round pick, serves as a younger backup with upside behind Dowdle.
MORE: Xavier Legette Injury Update: What’s the Latest on the Panthers WR, and Will He Play in Week 5?
The Dolphins’ defense has been weak against the run this season, affording whoever takes the bulk of the carries Sunday a chance at a productive performance.
