Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is "week-to-week" with a hamstring injury, according to head coach Dave Canales. The club could suddenly begin the upcoming season without its starting running back, opening the door for a late-summer addition, specifically Najee Harris.
For what it's worth, Canales is "very confident" that Hubbard will be ready for Week 1, when the Panthers host the Chicago Bears. There doesn't seem to be much, if any, long-term concern. Carolina might just be erring on the side of caution; however, soft-tissue issues can be tricky and linger, making Harris an interesting possible free-agency target.
Harris is arguably the best option from a less-than-appealing cast of veterans the Panthers can sign. That may say more about the current state of the market than his talent. Nevertheless, he profiles as a logical Hubbard pivot, at least from a stylistic standpoint.
Panthers-Najee Harris pairing makes more sense than ever after Chuba Hubbard's injury
Let's compare Harris to Hubbard, who are members of the same draft class. They stack up pretty evenly in some notable metrics since entering the NFL, courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($):
Najee Harris' career stats through 2025 | Chuba Hubbard's career stats through 2025 |
|---|---|
2.92 yards after contact/attempt | 2.90 yards after contact/attempt |
212 rushing first downs | 215 rushing first downs |
19.5 breakaway percentage | 20.3 breakaway percentage |
3.9 yards per attempt | 4.1 yards per attempt |
As you can see, neither Harris nor Hubbard will blow defenders away with blazing speed or athleticism. They're grinders who thrive on physicality and fighting for extra yardage. Their overlapping skill sets make Carolina a logical potential landing spot for the former while the latter is sidelined.
It's worth noting that Harris suffered a torn Achilles this past September. He was limited to only three games in his first and only campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers. Health, or lack thereof, gives him a mulligan of sorts, especially if Hubbard isn't at full strength.
In 2024, Hubbard and Harris finished fifth and sixth, respectively, among 46 tailbacks with 50-plus zone carries in rushing yards in said situations. They were each in the top seven in yards after contact under such circumstances. Both players also fell in the top half of the bunch in expected points added (EPA) per attempt, according to data from SumerSports.Â
Harris has shown he can be productive and effective in the type of scheme the Panthers want to use under Canales’ tutelage. The numbers bear that out too. Whether the one-time Pro Bowler can regain his pre-injury form remains to be seen, but there isn't a better one-for-one replacement for Hubbard.
How can the Panthers fill Chuba Hubbard's void if not with Najee Harris?
Jonathon Brooks has logged only 12 touches since the Panthers chose him in the second round of the 2024 draft. Coming off a second ACL tear, he's finally healthy and has had a buzzy offseason, yet much of the hype is merely theoretical at this point. The Texas product needs to show he can stay on the field first before inheriting a significant workload in the event Hubbard is sidelined.
Panthers second-year back Trevor Etienne is undersized, and his pass-catching and protection abilities make him more of a third-down back than a bruiser. There's also AJ Dillon who has the size to overpower opponents (6-foot, 247 pounds). The veteran has proven to be more of a plodder than a thumper, though, as evidenced by his lowly 4.1 career yards-per-attempt mark.
If Carolina wants to make an outside addition that isn't Harris, who's the alternative? Do any of the other guys available, like Kareem Hunt, Raheem Mostert, Austin Ekeler, Nick Chubb, Alexander Mattison or Miles Sanders, move the needle? Harris is the second-youngest of the names, offers the most upside and is compatible with how the Canales and Co. want to operate.
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