JEFF HAWKINS


Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne signs a football for a fan June 12 at the Bank of America Stadium campus during minicamp.

Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne wants the best for his brother, Travis, who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Except, of course, when the siblings go head-to-head in the regular-season opener Sept. 7. To acquire bragging rights, the younger brother is counting on one thing developing. 

“The Panthers coming out on top,” Travis Etienne said June 12 following the team’s final mandatory minicamp workout. “That’s how I’m looking at it. That’s what I’m going into the game, where my mindset is. I’m rooting for my brother, hope he has the best game of his career, but they can’t win.” 

Not in this family rivalry. 

Not when he’s building a new “brotherhood.” 

Running backs establish chemistry 

Entering the summer break before training camp opens in July, Chuba Hubbard lauded the chemistry of the Panthers’ new-look running back room, appreciating the cohesion directed by coach Bernie Parmalee. 

“Usually, in the running back room, sometimes it can be a little off, but everyone’s cool in our room, and that’s a blessing,” Hubbard said. “I don’t take that for granted.” 

Drawing parallels with his older brother, Trevor Etienne appreciated that Parmalee was Travis’ position coach as a rookie with the Jaguars.

“The running back room is real dynamic, a real brotherhood,” the younger Etienne said. “The older guys have gone nothing but embrace me. I’m thankful to be in a room with guys who want to push you every day. 

During 11-on-11 play, Etienne scored on a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Andy Dalton. If Etienne can establish his receiving skills during training camp and preseason, the fourth-round draft pick could establish himself as a third-down back.  

“Whatever it takes,” he said. “Third down, second down, first down, it doesn’t matter. Whatever it takes to help the team. I could care less what the role is.” 

Hubbard understands what the rookie is experiencing during his NFL baptism. Etienne stepped into a room with two established 1,000-yard rushers in Hubbard and free agent signee Rico Dowdle. When Hubbard joined the Panthers, he battled established veterans Christian McCaffrey and D’Onta Foreman for playing time his first two seasons. 

“It’s crazy how fast time flies, where I was when I was a rookie, and I was light years behind some of these guys,” said Hubbard, who signed a four-year, $33.2 million contract extension last November. 

“I was telling (Etienne), I felt like I was all over the place at times, so he’s done a really good job, asked a lot of questions, is a really good kid, works hard and the sky’s the limit for him. “Everybody in the running back room knows I’m an outlet, so whatever you need, I got you.”

Some Panthers set for summer staycation 

Before the Panthers re-assemble for training camp, Hubbard, who celebrated his 26th birthday Wednesday jawing with cornerback Jaycee Horn during a workout, said he will take a week off before continuing personal conditioning. 

“I’m going to take me some time off,” he said. “It’s my birthday, so a couple of days, but then after that, straight back to work.” 

Canales said he promotes the concept of the four-day workweek, even on vacation. 

“The biggest thing that they have to realize is your vacation was after the season. You had three months off,” he said. “We’re in a ramp now to training camp, so with these five weeks you have a week of kind of reloading. Then you’ve got to kick back up your training and build off our strength and fitness.

“We have a very fit team right now. To be able to have several move-the-ball experiences right here on our last day, for the guys to handle that tells us that we have a strong and fit group. We’ve got to keep it that way, so that was my biggest message – readiness for camp. You can’t count on camp to get you in shape. 

“There’s plenty of time to go and connect with friends, connect with family, see some cool places. But the consistency of where you work out matters.”  

Defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who wore a right knee brace during his limited participation in minicamp, said he plans to remain in the area to continue his rehabilitation from last year’s surgery. 
Etienne will take some time to spend with his family and Travis as they prepare for the season-opening adventure. 

“It doesn’t get any better than that, for real,” the younger Etienne said. “It’s like, you dream of being in the NFL. Then your brother’s in the NFL. You get a chance to compete at this level, and then y’all play each other in Week 1.  

“It couldn’t be written up any better than that.” 

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