Panthers place RB Chuba Hubbard on IR

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was placed on injured reserve on Saturday due to a calf injury. Hubbard initially was listed as questionable for Carolina (4-11) in its game on Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7). Hubbard, however, was dealing with significant pain after Friday's practice, the team said. An MRI on Friday night revealed a Grade 2 calf strain. Raheem Blackshear is the lone running back remaining on the Panthers' active roster. He has three carries for 13 yards this season. Signed to a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension last month, Hubbard has recorded career-high totals in rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10) and catches (43) in 15 games (all starts) this season. Hubbard, 25, is coming off a 152-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Panthers' 36-30 overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Alberta native capped the day with a 21-yard touchdown run in overtime. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Hubbard has rushed for 3,175 yards with 22 touchdowns to go along with 121 catches for 749 yards and two scores in 64 career games (39 starts) with Carolina. He was selected by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. --Field Level Media