With the Carolina Panthers set to report to training camp this week, it’s time to take a look at the lay of the land.

Which players are sure to make it through the summer and onto the team’s initial 53-man roster? Are there any wild-card candidates who can leave a lasting impression in the coming weeks? And which battles are worth keeping an eye on?

Here is our training camp preview for the Panthers’ running back position:

Roster locks

The Chu-Chu Train arrived in 2024. Hubbard rushed for a career-high 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and even earned a sweet four-year, $33.2 million contract extension in the process.

Dowdle, perhaps one of the slickest steals from this year’s free-agent market, returned home on a one-year, $6.2 million deal. The Asheville, N.C. native is also coming off a career campaign (1,079 rushing yards) and will team up with Hubbard to give the Panthers a bruising one-two punch out of the backfield.

Likely to make it

Etienne was selected by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft. The 5-foot-9, 198-pounder is a smooth runner who has some extra chops as a pass catcher and a returner.

Over his three-year collegiate career, which was split between Florida (2022 to 2023) and Georgia (2024), Etienne rushed for 23 touchdowns and 5.6 yards per attempt. He also notched 62 receptions and fielded 26 kickoffs and two punts.

On the bubbleRaheem BlackshearEmani BaileyKayron Lynch-Adams

The Panthers brought Blackshear back on a one-year pact. He’s been the team’s primary punt returner over the last three seasons.

Bailey latched on to the roster as a practice-squad signing in early December of 2024. He was kept on a reserve/future contract in January.

Lynch-Adams signed as an undrafted free agent this past spring. He ran for 649 yards and a pair of scores at Michigan State in 2024.

Battle to watchTrevor Etienne vs. Raheem Blackshear

Etienne and Blackshear possess similar skill sets, and could be fighting one another for the No. 3 spot behind Hubbard and Dowdle. The former has the advantage as a pure rusher while the latter boasts a solid track record as a special teamer.

If Etienne (or another player on the roster) can wrestle away the punt return duties from Blackshear, then the rookie will likely come out on top.

Potential sleeper

Lynch-Adams is built differently from the other non-locks at the position. Not as compact as Etienne, Blackshear and Bailey, the rocked-up 5-foot-10, 215-pounder brings a bit of size—and some surprising explosiveness—to the table.

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