The Carolina Panthers had something they often hadn't in the NFL regular season.
A run game.
Chuba Hubbard ran the ball 19 times for 88 yards. It was a nice change of pace from the weeks prior, with Miles Sanders struggling to find the same footing he had with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 NFL regular season. For his performance, ESPN labeled him a player whose stock is on the rise.
"Replacing starting running back Miles Sanders (shoulder), Hubbard's 88 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries gave some life to a running game that had been almost nonexistent and earned him the right to keep the job."
Hubbard scored the first touchdown of the game Sunday. He finished the game averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
What stood out against the Dolphins was just how poor Sanders has played, with Hubbard gaining starting running back duties as Sanders was sidelined with an injury.
Already on the season, Hubbard has more yards (242) on fewer carries (54) than Sanders (61 and 190).
In the bye week, the Panthers have some difficult questions to answer regarding the running back situation. Though they gave Sanders a four-year, $25 million deal, he may not be the best running back the team has on the roster.
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