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Dave Canales: "Very optimistic" about Robert Hunt playing

Jan 08, 2026 at 12:35 PM

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Darin Gantt

The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL

CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are getting some good news up front this week.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Thursday he was "very optimistic" that guard Robert Hunt could go Saturday against the Rams.

Hunt's been out since tearing his biceps in Week 2, but has been practicing the last two weeks.

Adding a Pro Bowler to the offense can only help against a talented Rams defense.

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Hunt admitted Wednesday that he might not be 100 percent, but was hopeful.

"Today we went a little faster, so, it was a good test of my elbow to see how I feel," Hunt said. "And it's not going to be, my elbow's not going to be perfect, you know what I mean? It's not going to be, but I think I compete with it. . . .

"I feel percentage-wise, I feel good enough to compete and do my job at a good level. I'm going to be rusty, though. I ain't played in a while, and this is a good team. This is a really good team."

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

9 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

11 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

13 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

14 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

17 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

18 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

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The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

20 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

21 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

22 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

23 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

24 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

25 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

26 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

27 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

28 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

29 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

30 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

31 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

32 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

33 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

34 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

35 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

36 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

37 / 37

The Carolina Panther's practice on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.

Andrew Stein/Carolina Panthers

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