It’s been a wild ride for the Carolina Panthers backfield lately. If you’ve been trying to keep up with the Panthers RB depth chart through the 2025 season and into this 2026 offseason, you know it’s basically been a game of musical chairs. One week you’ve got a workhorse, the next it’s a three-headed committee that leaves fantasy managers throwing their phones.
Honestly, the transformation under Dave Canales has been pretty dramatic. He came in promising a "stubborn" commitment to the run, and for the most part, he’s actually stuck to it. But the names on the jerseys? Those have changed more than people expected.
The Current Pecking Order: Who’s RB1?
If we’re looking at the roster right now in January 2026, the top of the Panthers RB depth chart is officially a shared throne. But if you have to name a leader, it’s Rico Dowdle.
Yeah, I know. A year ago, people were penciling in the rookie Jonathon Brooks as the savior. But football is a brutal business. Dowdle quietly came over and absolutely ripped it up in 2025, put up over 1,000 rushing yards, and became the physical heartbeat of this offense. He’s the guy Dave Canales trusts when it’s 3rd and 2 and they need to punish someone.
Here is how the room actually shakes out right now:
- Rico Dowdle: The undisputed "lead" dog. He’s got the vision and that "violent" style Canales keeps preaching about.
- Chuba Hubbard: The ultimate survivor. Every time someone tries to replace Chuba, he just works his way back into 15 touches a game. He’s the lightning to Dowdle’s thunder.
- Trevor Etienne: The rookie spark. He’s been handling kick returns and showing some serious juice in limited snaps.
- Jonathon Brooks: The biggest "what if." After another ACL injury, his status is the giant cloud hanging over the facility.
What Happened to Jonathon Brooks?
It’s kinda heartbreaking, really. We’re talking about a guy the Panthers traded up for in the second round back in '24. He was supposed to be the next Christian McCaffrey (or at least a very good version of himself). But the injury bug didn't just bite; it moved in.
Brooks has spent most of his young career on the PUP list or IR. Just when he was starting to look like himself in late 2024, another setback happened. Right now, he's basically a luxury stash. The Panthers aren't counting on him to be the "everything" back anymore, which ironically might be the best thing for his long-term health.
Chuba Hubbard: The Contract That Changed Everything
Most people thought Chuba was a goner when Miles Sanders signed that massive deal. Then they thought he was gone when Brooks was drafted. Instead, Chuba just played better.
He secured a long-term extension because he’s the most consistent pass-blocker and receiver in that room. He doesn't make mistakes. In a Dave Canales offense, "boring" consistency is worth its weight in gold. When you look at the Panthers RB depth chart, Hubbard is the glue. He’s the guy who stays in on third downs because Bryce Young needs to not get hit by a blitzing linebacker.
📖 Related: New York Yankees News: Why the Ryan Weathers Trade Matters More Than You Think
The Miles Sanders Situation
Look, we have to talk about Miles Sanders. It’s been... rough. He was the big-money free agent under the old regime, and it just never clicked. High ankle sprains, trade rumors, and getting jumped on the depth chart by guys making a fraction of his salary.
As of early 2026, Sanders is basically the odd man out. He was activated from IR late in the season, but with a $1 million roster bonus looming, most insiders expect him to be a cap casualty. It’s a classic case of a player not fitting the "identity" of a new coaching staff. Canales wants downhill, physical runners. Sanders is more of a lateral, "make-you-miss" type who struggled behind an offensive line that was rebuilding its own identity.
Why the O-Line Matters More Than the Backs
You can’t talk about the Panthers RB depth chart without mentioning the guys up front. The reason Rico Dowdle looked like a Pro Bowler last year wasn't just his talent—it was Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis.
The Panthers spent a literal fortune on the interior of the offensive line. They wanted to create "movement" (Canales’ favorite word). When those guys are healthy, any back on this roster looks good. When Ikem Ekwonu went down with that patellar tendon injury in the playoffs, the run game noticeably stalled. The depth chart is only as good as the holes being opened.
What to Watch for in the 2026 Draft
Don't be surprised if Dan Morgan (the GM) looks for another mid-round back. With Jonathon Brooks' health being a total coin flip and Miles Sanders likely gone, they need a "true" third option behind Dowdle and Hubbard.
Trevor Etienne is great for special teams and change-of-pace, but if Dowdle misses four games, can Etienne carry the ball 20 times between the tackles? Probably not. Look for a "thumper" in the 4th or 5th round to provide some insurance.
🔗 Read more: Burnley vs West Bromwich Albion: What Really Happened in the Battle for the Top Flight
Key Takeaways for Panthers Fans
- Rico Dowdle is the guy. He’s earned the right to be the starter heading into 2026 training camp.
- Chuba Hubbard is safe. That extension means he’s not going anywhere, and his role as a 3rd-down specialist is locked.
- Brooks is the wildcard. Anything they get from Jonathon Brooks at this point is a bonus. Don't draft him in your fantasy leagues unless it's a deep dynasty bench spot.
- Physicality is the brand. If a running back doesn't run "behind his pads," he won't last long in Charlotte.
If you’re tracking the Panthers RB depth chart for betting or just general fandom, the move is to watch the injury reports on the offensive line. This team lives and dies by the "dirty" yards. Dowdle and Hubbard have proven they can provide them, but the supporting cast behind them is thinner than most people realize. Keep an eye on the waiver wire during camp; the Panthers are notorious for picking up "Canales-style" grinders that other teams cut.
Moving forward, expect the Panthers to lean even harder into the 12-personnel looks (two tight ends) to help the run game. This isn't the flashy "Air Raid" offense people wanted—it's a ground-and-pound system designed to protect Bryce Young and control the clock. It might not be pretty, but for the first time in a decade, the Panthers actually know who they are.