Panthers: Will Hubbard return? Dilemma in the ground game against Jets

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard expressed his expectation to play against the New York Jets on Sunday, although he is unsure of his role after missing the previous two games due to a calf injury.Rico Dowdle, who replaced him, complicated the situation with an impressive 473-yard performance from the line of scrimmage, setting a team record in two games. Dowdle accumulated 389 rushing yards, falling just 17 yards short of becoming the fifth running back in NFL history to achieve consecutive 200-yard games.His total rushing yards surpassed by 172 yards the 217 that Hubbard got in the first four games as a starter.

“I believe in total transparency,” said coach Dave Canales when asked about who might be the starter. “I believe in having these conversations early to talk about how it could be and give the players the benefit of the doubt, to say: ‘OK, let’s look at the situation we’re currently in. Let’s deal with the facts and move forward from there.”

Dave Canales
Canales also stated that Dowdle “has earned the right to help this team, and he will.”The coach pointed out that the coaching staff “will find a way to do it”, but did not provide details.Both Dowdle and Hubbard made it clear that they don’t care who the titleholder is.

“We are very talented players,” Hubbard stated. “I can’t say exactly how it will be or how it will be. I’m not the coach. But obviously, two great running backs. Whenever you can put us on the field, let’s do it.”

Chuba Hubbard
Dowdle was equally humble about who will receive the ball first, stating that it doesn’t matter who starts “as long as we’re all getting the ball and things like that… helping the team win”.Dowdle highlighted the benefits of both runners playing, although he admitted that the more repetitions a runner has, the easier it is to get into rhythm.”It will allow us both to be fresh throughout the game,” Dowdle said. “We’ve seen it in the last two games. I’ve cramped up at the end.”Hubbard was listed as limited on Wednesday in his first practice in more than two weeks.

“He has a really focused look in his eyes,” Canales said. “He’s hungry and can’t wait to get back out there.”

Dave Canales
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