Panthers’ coach Dave Canales ‘very optimistic’ about Rob Hunt’s return vs. Rams
The clock is ticking down to the Panthers’ first home playoff game since 2015.
At the same time, time is also winding down to make a now-or-maybe-never decision on Rob Hunt’s status for the postseason.
The Panthers are guaranteed one more game — Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. NFL playoff showdown with the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium — so Hunt may only have this one opportunity to make a triumphant return from mid-season biceps surgery.
While head coach Dave Canales isn’t one for spoilers — for strategic purposes — he clearly wasn’t fretting about Hunt’s outlook on Thursday following the final practice of the wild-card round week.
“Status is questionable, but he had a great day,” Canales said. “He had another fantastic day. He was out there with his guys. I’m very optimistic about Rob playing, and I can’t put anything official out there, of course, until we come up with the final roster and that stuff. But he looked great.”
Rob Hunt’s outlook for the Panthers’ playoff run
Hunt has been sidelined since injuring his biceps in Week 2’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve in Week 3 and underwent surgery.
His 21-day practice window was activated in Week 17, and he’s been practicing with teammates ever since.
He was ruled out for the Panthers’ home finale loss against the Seattle Seahawks entering the weekend. He also didn’t play in the season finale loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.
But, according to Canales, Hunt would “absolutely” start at right guard if he were to be activated from injured reserve on Friday.
“That’s the whole reason for (missing) last week — it was like, ‘We’re not going to put him out there part time,’” Canales said. “If he’s playing, he’s playing. And this is it — this is the only game we have. This is it. So, he’s gotta go, he’s fired up to help out his teammates, and obviously, that’ll all be official when it is.”
What a Hunt return would mean for Austin Corbett
With Hunt’s pending return looming, the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, Austin Corbett, could be displaced from the starting lineup in the postseason.
If Hunt starts, Corbett will be the main backup center and possibly the backup right guard as well.
“Austin will be ready to play — pop in there in the interior,” Canales said. “That’s the great part about Austin, he’s given us the ability to play center, play guard, and different spots.”
Corbett has played in 12 games (11 starts) this season. He has started at center five times, right guard five times and left guard once.
Hubbard discusses Hunt’s impact on the offense
One player who could benefit from Hunt’s return is running back Chuba Hubbard.
The Panthers’ running game has struggled since the calendar turned to December, and Hubbard and starter Rico Dowdle have combined for just 225 rushing yards and a touchdown over the past four games.
While Hubbard has thrown praise the offensive line’s way at every turn this season, he would welcome back Hunt’s presence to the trenches on Saturday.
“Rob is an amazing player,” Hubbard said. “Obviously, the O-line, overall, everyone’s done a really good job. There’s been a lot of ups and downs as far as injuries and stuff, but I feel like everyone has filled in and done the job at a high level. But one thing about Rob is that he brings this energy and juice that’s kind of contagious. I always look back to Germany last year — on the one play, I think he was on the ground (moves arms up and down) banging the ground and stuff like that. He loves the game, he gives it his all, so those are guys you want on your team.”
Hunt, a 2024 Pro Bowl right guard, helped lead the way for Hubbard’s breakout season last year. If he can make it back to the lineup this weekend, there’s a chance he could spark a big run on his side of the trenches.
Every little bit would help against a Rams squad with a high-powered offense on the other end.
Final injury report: Hunt, Zavala only two questionable
Below is final injury report for the wild-card round:
Questionable: G Rob Hunt (biceps/IR), G Chandler Zavala (calf/IR)
Defensive tackle Bobby Brown and cornerback Robert Rochell both entered the week in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Neither player has a status for Saturday, which means they cleared the protocol.
Quick hits
- Saturday’s matchup will be long snapper J.J. Jansen’s eighth career playoff game with the Panthers. Right tackle Taylor Moton, who was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, is the only other member of the roster to have been to the postseason with the Panthers. The clash against the Rams will be Moton’s first-ever home playoff game.
- The Panthers re-signed safety Demani Richardson to the practice squad on Wednesday. He was waived off the 53-man roster on Tuesday but cleared waivers the following day. Cornerback Mike Reid was cut from the practice roster to make room for Richardson.
- Former Clemson wideout Hunter Renfrow, who was also waived on Tuesday, cleared waivers on Wednesday as well. Renfrow is free to sign with a playoff team’s main roster or practice squad.
