Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 12

Although it was short and sweet, Thursday’s outing of training camp was still a tad sour for the Carolina Panthers. (Yup, you guessed it . . . another injury.)

Here are the top takeaways and observations from this morning’s practice:

Starting running back Chuba Hubbard did not participate due to what head coach Dave Canales described as a “legit” hamstring injury. The sixth-year veteran underwent an MRI to evaluate the issue, and will now have to be eased in as we inch closer to the regular season.

Nevertheless, Canales seemed optimistic about Hubbard’s outlook for Week 1.

“It’s week to week right now the way we see it. So we’re gonna get him in RTP (return-to-play), we’re gonna get him some treatment,” Canales told reporters after the session.

“Very confident he’ll be ready for Game 1, trying to get him out there sooner than that. But again, we’ll be smart about it, we’ll get him back in the appropriate time.”

2025 wasn’t a smooth ride for Hubbard either, as he dealt with a nagging calf injury. That played a part in Hubbard taking a backseat to Rico Dowdle, who started in 11 of Carolina’s 17 regular-season games.

Canales added that Jonathon Brooks will get the start at running back in Saturday’s preseason tilt against the Buffalo Bills. The third-year rusher, who was sidelined during the last two offseasons due to two separate ACL tears, will be making his NFL preseason debut.

As reported on Wednesday night, the Panthers have reached an agreement with former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller.

Although Waller’s signing was not official prior to practice, leaving him off the field for now, Canales explained the addition.

“Just looking for ways to challenge our roster, challenge our rooms,” Canales stated. “Bringing different types of talent into the rooms to really challenge the group and see what we have there.

“We felt like it was a good fit. There was a lot of conversations back and forth—about the vision, about the group that he’s coming into. So felt comfortable about that, found an agreement and we’ll bring him in and do the physical and all that stuff.”

Waller now joins a room that features Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans and Ja’Tavion Sanders—none of whom have amassed a season of at least 350 receiving yards over eight combined campaigns.

New #Panthers TE Darren Waller needs to be onboarded today so he won’t be practicing on Thursday.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026

#Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is not in uniform this morning with a sleeve around his right leg.@CSLonQCN#KeepPoundingpic.twitter.com/khj4q3oT5j

— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) August 13, 2026

JT Sanders in indy drills. pic.twitter.com/4JERNDcuz5

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026

#Panthers tight end group in red zone drills. (And yes, Tommy Tremble went first, caught pass, etc.)

Darren Waller 🔜 pic.twitter.com/Dfach8i3O4

— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) August 13, 2026

Xavier Legette has been working on keeping his feet in this camp #Pantherspic.twitter.com/GGtGv2TdRx

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) August 13, 2026

Rob Hunt and Damien Lewis participating in team drills together for the first time since the first day of practice.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026

#Panthers Kyle Trask threads the needle on a slant to Roc Taylor who makes a juggling catch for a TD in red zone team pass.

Corey Thornton in coverage.@CSLonQCN#KeepPounding

— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) August 13, 2026

Tight ends are being featured a lot today, in part because there’s been a lot of red-zone work.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 13, 2026

Kenny Pickett with an excellent RZ toss over a leaping Claudin Cherelus to XL in the ends zone in 11s. #Panthers

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026

Jimmy Horn is getting open A LOT away from the ball. That should be acknowledged as he fights for a roster spot. #Panthers

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026

XL catches a shallow crosser from Young and puts on the jets to the end zone. Young set him up well but Legette looked smooth too.

Then Young slings a laser through traffic to Tommy Tremble for a TD in two minute 11 on 11.

Final horn sounds.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 13, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 12