Chuba Hubbard

In 2024, Hubbard was the RB12, with 14.7 points per game, 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns in 15 games. He was a legitimate featured back when healthy. The 2025 season is best set aside–the calf injury that stripped him of the starting job (lost to Rico Dowdle) produced efficiency numbers (2nd-percentile broken-tackle rate, 3rd-percentile elusive rating) that reflect a back who physically couldn't cut or absorb contact, and probably not a back who lost his ability to run the football. Carolina enters 2026 with 236 vacated RB carries, 60.4% of their total, with Dowdle now in Pittsburgh. The opportunity for Hubbard to reclaim a featured role is real, though a mid-August hamstring injury is a serious setback. The other question is Jonathon Brooks, who finally appears ready to play after back-to-back ACL tears in his right knee in 2023 and 2024. Brooks returning is legitimate competition, but two torn ACLs in consecutive seasons leaves durability as a genuine concern regardless of how he looks in camp. Carolina also invested in the offensive line, adding first-round tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia, which should help whichever back leads the committee. If Hubbard can get healthy and Brooks is still finding his footing, there's a path back to RB2 production, though as of mid-August this backfield seems to be trending Brooks’ way.