Dave Canales reveals Chuba Hubbard suffered knee injury in Panthers practice

The Panthers got a scare Thursday when Chuba Hubbard injured his knee during a joint practice with the Jets. But coach Dave Canales shared better news about the running back after the workout.

Canales told reporters: “Chuba went down — we had big concerns there. The initial testing looks pretty good, so they’re going to follow up. We’ll have more information on him there.

“It was testing on his knee, just to make sure everything was stable. It was a really — it was a real-time collision there.”

Canales wasn’t questioning the hit, saying it wasn’t “dirty.”

“It was two guys faced up on each other,” the Panthers coach said “And (Hubbard’s) foot kind of gave out from underneath him. So, the initial testing was very positive. But we’re going to do all the follow-up, make sure he’s fully ready before we put him back out there.”

Hubbard projects as the Panthers starter, at least until rookie Jonathon Brooks, the top running back in April’s draft, is cleared to play. Late last season at Texas, Brooks tore his ACL and needed surgery.

Hubbard, the former Oklahoma State star, was injured as he slipped moments before he took a hard smash from Jets safety Chuck Clark. Hubbard got up, but never returned to practice.

Other Panthers joined injury list

The running back wasn’t the only Panthers player to suffer an injury against the Jets. Canales said cornerback Dane Jackson strained his hamstring. The recovery time will extend into the start of the regular season. Canales said the time frame for Jackson’s return was about six weeks.

Canales also said that safety Xavier Woods would be out for about two weeks because of a pulled groin.

Two veterans new to the Panthers also missed Thursday workout against the Jets. Receiver Diontae Johnson was out because of a groin pull. Canales said it was a mild strain. Meanwhile, Canales gave linebacker Jadeveon Clowney the day off.