Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is not expected to take the field Sunday against the Miami Dolphins due to a calf injury that has sidelined him from practice over the past two days, a league source confirmed Friday.
Hubbard currently leads the Panthers in rushing this season, accumulating 217 yards on 53 carries. This follows a strong 2024 campaign where he rushed for 1,195 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
In Hubbard’s absence, former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is expected to start. Dowdle, signed this offseason to a one-year deal worth $3 million (with potential incentives up to $6.5 million), has contributed 83 yards on 28 carries so far this season as Hubbard’s primary backup. Last year, Dowdle posted a career-high 1,079 rushing yards for Dallas.
“Just making the most of the opportunity, that’s going to be the main thing—doing what I can to help the team,” Dowdle said Thursday amid growing speculation about Hubbard’s availability.
Rookie Trevor Etienne, who has 37 yards on eight carries and primarily serves as a return specialist, would likely serve as the backup running back.
Hubbard signed a four-year, $33.2 million contract late last season but has had a slow start to 2025, limited last week by the calf injury that restricted him to 10 carries for 49 yards.
The NFL Network was first to report that Hubbard is expected to miss Sunday’s game.
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