Source: Panthers' Hubbard not expected to play

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is not expected to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins due to a calf injury that has kept him out of practice the past two days, a league source confirmed Friday.

Hubbard leads the Panthers in rushing with 217 yards on 53 carries coming off a 2024 season in which he rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Former Dallas Cowboys back Rico Dowdle, signed during the offseason to a one-year, $3 million deal with the potential to get to $6.5 million, would get the start.

Dowdle has 83 yards on 28 carries as Hubbard's backup. He had a career-high 1,079 yards rushing last year for Dallas.

"Just making the most of the opportunity, that's going to be the main thing, doing what I can to help the team,'' Dowdle said Thursday amid speculation Hubbard would not play.

Rookie Trevor Etienne, who has 37 yards on eight carries while being used mostly as a return specialist, would be the likely backup.

Hubbard signed a four-year, $33.2 million deal late last season. He got off to a slow start this season and was limited last week with the calf injury that held him to 10 carries for 49 yards.