The Carolina Panthers have to view this season as an overwhelming success. After a disastrous 2023 campaign, where the team failed to even fill seats and their No.1 overall draft pick appeared to be a bust in the making, the team has had a considerable bounce back. Now, their future appears bright as Bryce Young continues to impress week after week.
Further, around Young, an impressive core is starting to take shape, starting with running back Chuba Hubbard. However, the latest reports indicate that Hubbard might be done for the year with an injury.
What Is Chuba Hubbard’s Injury?
The 2024 season was a monster one for Hubbard. While he had a strong 2023 season, he took another leap this season, totaling 1,195 rushing yards in just 15 games. In that 15th game, however, Hubbard appeared to tweak something in his leg.
What was listed as a knee and calf strain made his availability for Week 17 fall into doubt. For the entire week, he was questionable. However, senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed on the site formerly known as Twitter that Carolina was going to be cautious with his situation.
Sources: After rushing for 1,195 yards this season, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is being placed on injured reserve today due to a calf and knee injury. His impressive season now has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/pTNVeUZAJa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2024
As a result, Hubbard was placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his season. “After rushing for 1,195 yards this season, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is being placed on injured reserve today due to a calf and knee injury. His impressive season now has come to an end.”
When Will Hubbard Return?
The IR tag ensures that Hubbard will not make a return in the 2024 season. With the four-game minimum criteria present for the injured reserve list and two weeks left in the year, his season has come to a premature end.
But, with the injury not appearing severe in the slightest and the decision based on an eye for the future and being cautious with a potential star in their mix, Hubbard’s availability for next season isn’t remotely in question.
Barring some setbacks, he should be a lock for minicamp, OTAs, and training camp once the offseason work starts ramping up for the Panthers.
How Did Hubbard Perform in the 2024 Season?
Despite the premature end of his 2024 campaign, it will be one to remember for Chuba Hubbard. After two mediocre seasons, Hubbard showed signs of life for a desperate Panthers squad. This season, he’s taken those positives and ran with it, pun intended.
After a monster jump saw him accumulate 902 rushing yards last season, Hubbard was already at 1,195 yards when Week 16 came to an end. To put it in perspective, through his first two seasons, he had 1,078 yards combined.
On the touchdown front as well, Hubbard was sensational, adding 10 rushing TDs and even catching one in his 43 receptions for 171 yards.
Before the year began, the Panthers gave Hubbard a four-year extension upwards of $33 million. In just one season, that number is starting to look like a bargain. Now, if Young continues to improve the way he has in 2024 and a year’s maturity under the running back as well, Carolina could go from undesirable to undeniable very quickly.