Panthers will be without a key running back Sunday against the Bengals in Cincinnati
For a second consecutive week, the Carolina Panthers will be without one of their top running backs Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Running back Chuba Hubbard will not play, the team announced Friday. Hubbard is dealing with an ankle sprain he sustained in the team’s 21-3 win over the Buccaneers. He missed last week’s 37-34 loss to Atlanta due to the same injury.
Interim coach Steve Wilks said Hubbard did not have a setback this week, though the second-year running back was hopeful he would play.
“He did not have a setback. I think he was moving in the right direction. But I felt like where I saw he was, I didn’t want to try to press it this week,” Wilks said. “Having a short week next week, we’ll see where we could be on Thursday night.”
Hubbard’s absence means running back D’Onta Foreman will again start and likely shoulder a heavy workload. Foreman has rushed for 236 yards over the past two weeks. Rookie Raheem Blackshear could mix in on passing downs. Spencer Brown earned six carries and gained 27 yards spelling Foreman against the Falcons.
Carolina will be thin at safety. Veteran Juston Burris is out with a concussion. Wilks said defensive back Myles Hartsfield will fill in at safety along with Sean Chandler. Hartsfield played 65 of the team’s 67 defensive snaps against Atlanta.
Safety Jeremy Chinn was eligible to return from injured reserve this week but the team did not activate him. He is still recovering from a Week 4 hamstring injury.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield will again back up starter PJ Walker on Sunday.
Sam Darnold has not been elevated to the team’s roster yet. The Panthers moved him off injured reserve last week, opening his 21-day activation window. He threw with the quarterbacks during the open portion of practice each day this week.
Carolina will also be without receiver Rashard Higgins. The team ruled him out due to an illness. Higgins was a healthy scratch against Atlanta. Tight end Stephen Sullivan is also dealing with an illness. He is listed as doubtful after not practicing all week.
Carolina is hopeful cornerback Donte Jackson will play. He was a limited participant on Friday after reinjuring his ankle late against the Falcons. Defensive end Amaré Barno (knee) is also listed as questionable.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn (ankle), safety Sam Franklin (illness) and linebacker Frankie Luvu do not carry a game status, meaning they will play.
The Panthers (2-6) are in last place in NFC South, but face Atlanta on Thursday Night Football next week.
