The Miami Dolphins won their first game of the 2025 season in Week 4, but even that couldn’t create the team some positive momentum. That’s because star wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a gruesome knee injury that has ended his season, meaning the Dolphins‘ offense will have to find a way to replace his production for the next 13 games.
Even without Hill, Miami has a favorable matchup on its hands in Week 5, as it will be taking on the Carolina Panthers, who just got smoked 42-13 by the New England Patriots in Week 4. The Dolphins aren’t the only team that will be missing a key playmaker in this one, though, as the Panthers got dealt a tough injury update regarding star running back Chuba Hubbard on Friday.
Chuba Hubbard Ruled Out for Panthers Clash vs. Dolphins
Carolina’s offense has struggled in 2025, and while much of that is due to the inconsistent play of Bryce Young at quarterback, it’s also worth noting that Young has virtually no weapons to work with on offense. The closest thing he has to a stay playmaker is Hubbard, who plays at running back has been battling a calf injury as of late.
Hubbard made the starting running back position his own in 2024, when he started all 15 games he played in and racked up 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries. While the Panthers signed former Dallas Cowboys starting running back Rico Dowdle in free agency, it was clear that Hubbard would reprise his starting role in 2025.
Through four games, Hubbard has held his own, rushing for 217 yards on 53 carries, while also catching 13 passes for 94 yards and a pair of scores. As noted, though, Hubbard has been dealing with a bothersome calf as of late, and it’s going to result in him missing the team’s Week 5 contest, meaning the Dolphins won’t have to worry about him on Sunday.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard, who has been dealing with a calf injury the last couple of weeks and hasn’t practiced this week, is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, per me and Mike Garafolo. Rico Dowdle is the team’s backup,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
Dolphins Looking to Earn Second Straight Win in Week 5
GettyMiami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, reacts after losing to the Buffalo Bills on September 18, 2025.
Miami was already going to be favored to win this game, but Carolina being without Hubbard will only make them a bigger favorite in the eyes of fans. The Dolphins don’t exactly feature an inspiring defense, but they should be able to slow down Young and his limited group of playmakers that surrounds him.
This game will be a bit difficult for Miami, as it will be figuring out how to adapt to life without Hill on offense. No game in the NFL is ever easy, but they should have a decent margin for error given Carolina’s struggles and their various injury issues. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and if all goes according to plan, the Dolphins will walk away from this one with their second straight win.
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