Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard says his hamstring injury feels fine but the team is remaining cautious.
The 2026 NFL season kicks off in just under three weeks as the Carolina Panthers are set to host the Chicago Bears in Week 1. It will be a battle of division winners from the 2025 season when the two teams meet and both have the same goal — to improve off of last season's finish.
For Carolina, they went 8-9 and won the tiebreaker to earn the division title. But their season was cut short with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Now, in 2026, the Panthers are hoping they have improved, and Week 1 will be a good first test for them. One key player whom the Panthers are counting on to take a step forward is running back Chuba Hubbard.
The former Oklahoma State running back is entering his sixth year in the league but has hit 1,000 yards just once. Hubbard has been dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp, keeping him out a bit.
However, there was some good news as Hubbard is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Bears. He told the media on Monday that he feels good with where his injury is at right now.
"Yeah, to be honest, I feel pretty good," Hubbard said. "I think the coaches, and obviously, the training staff are trying to take care of me. Obviously, last year I kind of came back a little early and it kind of lingered on a little bit. So it's just protecting me from myself a little bit. I would have been out the next day if I could have. I feel good; I feel healthy. I'm looking forward to Week 1."
Hubbard was part of a rushing attack that also saw Rico Dowdle find success last season for the Panthers. Dowdle is now in Pittsburgh, and it sounds like Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks will split the carries at least to start the season. That could work in their favor moving forward as a strong rushing attack will help quarterback Bryce Young in the long run.
