Chuba Hubbard had ten rushes for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ Week 1 loss to the Bears, adding three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Hubbard was the clearcut lead back for the run-heavy Carolina offense. Jonathon Brooks saw five touches on the day, and ran six pass routes for 29 routes for Hubbard, who was the Panthers’ primary red zone back throughout the game. For now Hubbard’s role in the run-first Panthers offense seems secure while the team eases Brooks into action. That could change at some point this season. Hubbard will be a locked-in RB2 option next week against a middling Falcons defense.