The Carolina Panthers are entering their bye week following a 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, which brings their record to 7-6 and keeps them in playoff contention. Head coach Dave Canales emphasized the importance of using the break for both physical and mental recovery.
“The importance of the bye-week, getting our recovery from a physical standpoint, but also just mentally, emotionally,” Canales said. “This is a long season, making sure that we take that break, but make sure we keep moving and be ready to get back to work. Every game is a championship opportunity. It’s what we’ve been stressing, and our mentality is that one.
“We have to look at the Saints. This is our next opponent. When we come back after the bye, we get right back to work and keep that focus. How long can we maintain the week-to-week focus, and how long can we really accentuate each day? How can we attack that day and win it, whatever we’re doing on that day, from a game plan standpoint, practice standpoint, they’re all important. It’s this time of year that the teams that continue to improve fundamentally are the ones that will find success, so we have to be committed to the basics.”
Players have been given time off until next Monday when preparations for the final four games of the regular season will begin. The team facilities at Bank of America Stadium remain open for workouts or treatment during this period.
Canales advised players to use their time wisely: “Guys are free to do and go wherever they want to go, and my message to them is just, look what we’re playing for, look what we’re working for,” he said. “Let’s be smart, let’s take care of our bodies, make sure we move within reason. So just giving them some last remarks and making sure that they all understand: we have something great to protect here, and we have another opportunity coming back after the bye. So let’s be smart about this week and let’s hit the ground running.”
The Panthers’ late-season bye comes as several key players recover from injuries. Defensive backs Jaycee Horn and Claudin Cherelus remain in concussion protocol but are expected by Canales to return after being cleared by an independent neurologist.
“Both he and Claude are still in the concussion protocol, but daily improvement, and we’ll circle back around once we get closer to next week,” Canales said.
The team reported minimal new injuries from Sunday’s game against the Rams; offensive tackle Taylor Moton briefly left with an oblique injury but returned later in the game. Rookie safety Lathan Ransom suffered a thumb injury after recording 11 tackles and a sack in his first start.
Offensive guard Robert Hunt continues his rehabilitation from a biceps injury sustained in Week 2. Canales remains hopeful Hunt could return before season’s end but did not provide a specific timeline.
“He’s working his way back. He’s doing a great job in return to play,” Canales said regarding Hunt’s progress. “He’s getting stronger, and we have to just continue to take it week by week… We’re going to have to be really smart about that… it’ll be a weekly thing…”
With four games remaining—including two against division rival Tampa Bay—the Panthers trail the Buccaneers by half a game in their division standings.
“The focus has to just be on Robert’s health, and when he’s healthy and ready to go he’ll play for the Panthers,” Canales added about Hunt’s potential return.
The coaching staff also highlighted recent improvements in their running game since Chuba Hubbard returned from injury in Week 7. Early attempts at evenly splitting carries between Hubbard and Rico Dowdle were less effective than anticipated; however, adjustments led both backs contributing significantly against Los Angeles.
“Some of it was third-down opportunities… We’ve been using Chuba primarily as our third-down back… And especially because of how he’s looked in the last couple of weeks… he’s looked really strong…” Canales explained.
Hubbard finished with 83 rushing yards on 17 carries along with two receptions for 41 yards—including a touchdown—while Dowdle had 58 yards on 18 carries plus two catches for 21 yards.
“And for Rico… giving him the lion’s share of some of those first- and second-down… is a great way…” Canales continued.
This marked only the second time since December 2022 that two Panthers running backs each posted at least 75 scrimmage yards in one game; Carolina ran on over sixty percent of its offensive plays—a high under Canales’ tenure as head coach.
“So I like where we’re at,” he concluded about his team’s offensive balance moving forward.
