Home / Sports / Panthers' Hubbard Sidelined by Calf Injury, Dowdle to Start
Panthers' Hubbard Sidelined by Calf Injury, Dowdle to Start
3 Oct
Summary
- Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard to miss Sunday's game
- Calf injury has limited Hubbard's production this season
- Rico Dowdle will start in Hubbard's place against the Dolphins
On Friday, the Carolina Panthers announced that running back Chuba Hubbard will miss Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a persistent calf injury. Hubbard, who had a breakout season last year, has been limited to just 217 rushing yards and no touchdowns on the ground so far in 2023.
To fill Hubbard's absence, the Panthers will turn to Rico Dowdle as the starting running back. Dowdle, who signed with the team as a free agent after a productive 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys, will be supported by backups Trevor Etienne and DeeJay Dallas.
The decision to sit Hubbard comes after the 24-year-old played through the calf issue in last week's loss to the New England Patriots, but saw his regular heavy workload reduced. Panthers coach Dave Canales noted that Hubbard did not recover as well from the previous game and needed some rest.
With Hubbard sidelined, the Panthers will look to Dowdle to provide a spark in the running game as they aim to bounce back from their recent defeat and secure a win against the Dolphins.
