The Carolina Panthers will not have their star offensive player for today’s NFC South showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . . . and for next Sunday’s NFC South showdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
As announced on Saturday morning, the team has placed running back Chuba Hubbard on injured reserve—effectively ending his season. The fourth-year rusher sustained a Grade 2 calf strain at the end of the week, a setback that would’ve been too much to overcome over the final two weeks of the campaign.
Hubbard finishes up his 2024 with career-highs in carries (250), rushing yards (1,195) and rushing touchdowns (10). He also earned his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his Week 16 heroics in the 36-30 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals.
In a corresponding move, the Panthers signed veteran running back Mike Boone from the practice squad to their active roster ahead of this afternoon’s contest. He and Raheem Blackshear are expected to shoulder the load out of the backfield.
