As the Carolina Panthers prepare to face the 49ers this week, running back Chuba Hubbard reflected on his time sharing a backfield with Christian McCaffrey — and he didn’t hold back his admiration.

“He’s a special player, a Hall of Famer for sure,” Hubbard said. “Just seeing his work ethic and seeing someone get the ball over and over and produce over and over consistently at a high level against anyone and everyone — it’s special to see that.”

Hubbard and McCaffrey were teammates in Carolina from 2021 until McCaffrey’s mid-season trade to San Francisco in October 2022. Since then, their careers have diverged sharply: McCaffrey has become the engine of Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers offense, while Hubbard has fought through injuries and competition to retain his starting role in Charlotte.

Through 11 games this season, McCaffrey has carried the ball 193 times for 707 yards and six touchdowns, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s most complete offensive weapons. McCaffrey, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, continues to dominate as both a rusher and receiver, keeping San Francisco in the thick of the NFC playoff race.

Hubbard, meanwhile, has totaled 91 carries for 334 yards and one touchdown across nine games. A calf injury in Week 5 sidelined him for two games, during which backup Rico Dowdle surged for 389 rushing yards and 473 yards from scrimmage in consecutive wins.

Since returning in Week 7, Hubbard gradually has been re-integrated into the offense, totaling 38 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, along with four receptions for 32 yards and two kickoff returns for 51 yards. The performance shows flashes of the burst that once made him McCaffrey’s most trusted understudy.

Still, Hubbard’s praise carries weight — not just as a former teammate but as a peer who’s witnessed McCaffrey’s discipline up close.

“Christian knows I have a lot of respect for him.” Hubbard reiterated. “He’s a great player and also a great friend, so I’ll always be rooting for him.”

When Carolina and San Francisco meet in Week 12, Hubbard will be on opposite sidelines as the player he once studied daily in practice. For McCaffrey, it’s another chance to strengthen a Hall of Fame résumé. For Hubbard, it’s an opportunity to show how much he has learned from one of the best.

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