Sherwood Park's Chuba Hubbard on track for Panthers' Sept. 13 opener
The Carolina Panthers running back has missed the entire preseason with a hamstring strain but has been clocked over 20 mph in controlled workouts.
Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday that starting running back Chuba Hubbard, who is from Sherwood Park, Alta., is expected to be ready for the team's Sept. 13 season opener against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard strained his hamstring earlier this month in training camp and has not played in a preseason game, though Canales said he is ahead of schedule and has reached speeds over 20 miles per hour in controlled settings. The team has held him out of contact drills as a precaution.
Hubbard rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 but was limited to 511 yards and one touchdown last season by a calf injury. In his absence, Rico Dowdle put up strong numbers before eventually ceding carries back to Hubbard; Dowdle later left Carolina to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Now in his sixth NFL season, Hubbard said he feels healthy and is looking forward to Week 1, adding that the coaching staff is being cautious after he returned too early from injury last year. He is expected to share backfield duties with Jonathon Brooks, a former second-round pick who has been slowed by knee injuries.
Elsewhere on the roster, wide receiver Xavier Legette suffered a foot injury in Carolina's preseason win over Jacksonville and will miss the rest of the preseason. The Panthers, who won the NFC South last season, have not yet decided whether starters will play in their preseason finale after a joint practice with the Houston Texans.
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