CHARLOTTE — When Chuba Hubbard thinks about Robert Hunt, his mind goes back to the Week 10 game last season, when the Panthers defeated the Giants in Germany.

"I always look back to Germany last year on the one play, I think he was on the ground like banging his (hands), banging the ground and stuff like that," smiled Hubbard on Thursday when recalling the play.

"He loves the game. He gives it his all. So those are guys you want on your team."

Despite being sidelined since Week 2 with a biceps injury, Hunt has done his part to stay involved, being one of those guys the Panthers want around. But there's something different, a new level of juice when a guy like that is back on the field. And Saturday, Carolina could finally get their guy back.

The official injury report will come out later Thursday afternoon, in line with the Los Angeles Rams' timing on the West Coast. But Canales seemed optimistic when asked about the right tackle's availability for this weekend.

"He had another fantastic day," Canales shared. "He was out there with his guys. I'm very optimistic about Rob playing…he looked great."

The club tried to have Hunt ready by last week for the regular season finale, but coaches and trainers weren't comfortable having him out there when it wasn't certain he could play the entire game. If he's cleared to go for Saturday, though, at this point, Canales said he would be the full-time starter.

"If he's playing, he's playing, and this is it. This is the only game we have, this is it so he's got to go. He's fired up to help out his teammates.

"We start with effort, we go to enthusiasm because that's how you connect with each other, it's culture, it's what you celebrate. If you want to create a powerful culture and you want to create a mindset, then catch your players doing right, catch them doing good, and then each other that accountability goes both ways, it's not just about correcting people, it's also reinforcing what you love.

"Rob is one of those guys. When somebody makes a great play, the first one down there is Rob Hunt. If it's a big run, if it's a big pass, a touchdown, you're not going to see anybody bigger or more excited than Rob Hunt dancing with the guys trying to get into the choreographed dance anyway he can, so he brings that type of energy. So I'm so glad that we have a chance to get him back this week."

If Hunt is on the field, that means the Panthers will have Austin Corbett as a swing interior lineman.

"Austin will be ready to play, pop in there, in the interior," said Canales. "That's the great part about Austin. He's given us the ability to play center, to play guard, different spots."

The push in the run game

If Hunt is back, this will be the 12th offensive line combination the Panthers will have played with this season, since Corbett was the center when Hunt was hurt. But having this particular combination, with the added bonus of knowing Corbett can plug into every interior spot, gives Hubbard a jolt of excitement about the run game.

The run game has slowed in recent weeks, posting just 19 rushing net yards in the Week 18 loss to the Bucs. The group, from coaches down to players, is hoping to find a footing again this week, as they did when they defeated the Rams in Week 13, when they rushed 40 times for 164 yards.

Granted, that means replicating a groove that was averaging six yards a play against a stout front.

"They got a great defense from top to bottom," Hubbard began, complimenting the Rams before focusing on what went right in Week 13.

"I think we just came out, we came swinging fast, we ran the ball well, obviously play action off it really good, and then Bryce Young and the receivers and tight ends, everyone did the job in the pass game. We always say you run the ball, to open up everything for you, so, obviously me and Rico Dowdle got to get that going."

Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik concurred with the message, saying on Wednesday, "Our run game, we got to get it going. That's been a huge thing we've been putting our thumb down on the last couple of weeks. We know we've taken a kind of step back of who we've been. And our guys are fired up to get after it."

As for the running back playing in his first playoff game, there is no choice but to "get that going.

"I'm telling myself, obviously, it's a do-or-die. I give my all," pledged Hubbard. "Obviously, I've worked, and all of us have worked our a—s off to get to this moment. I don't want to let it slip. I just want to give them all, so whatever that takes, I'm willing to do it."

Guys trending towards healthy

Robert Hunt isn't the only guy who is getting healthy at the right time. While the injury report is still to be released, Canales was encouraged by what he saw out of Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) and Bobby Brown III (concussion protocol) on Thursday.

"They all look pretty good today," Canales said after practice. "They're going through, they're making sure that they go through protocols the correct way. Obviously, we have to respect that part of it and go day to day until they're cleared.

"Obviously, the full injury report will come out a little bit later because of the West Coast time with the Rams. But the guys are stacking great days."

Wharton has not played in the last four regular-season games. Brown left the Week 18 game with a concussion, as well as Robert Rochell. Having players trending upwards and at a quick pace, ready for such a crucial time of the season, is a testament to the training staff on hand.

"It's a blessing to be getting as healthy as you can be, as far as the league is concerned. This is amazing, just—and I get to talk about (vice president of player health and performance) Denny Ellington. I get to talk about (director of performance) Josh Hingst, how they prepare our guys and how they, re-gen (regenerate) our guys after games and get them ready for an entire season, and to have essentially like a fully healthy group other than a few IR guys, I mean, it's unbelievable."

Saturday's playoff atmosphere plans to be epic

For the Panthers' first home playoff game since 2015, Carolina is soaking in the moment and planning to roll out all the stops to create a special, electric atmosphere that makes it difficult for the Rams.

"I expect it to be lit," said corner Jaycee Horn. "It's been a decade, so I need everybody to pull up and just deck it out. I think it's going to be the loudest I've ever heard it, that's what I'm expecting.

The Panthers are doing everything possible to make it the loudest Horn has ever heard from the very beginning, including some special guests.

"I heard about that," remarked Canales on Thursday, referencing the idea that the drummer could end up being Cam Newton. "I heard that rumor.

"For me, it's just that we can use all the help we can get. You talk about bringing juice and that momentum and that energy that comes—and I think about Cam, I just think of aura, and like he's the biggest big person. It's not just by his height and size, but also just the personality.

"If that happens, I think it's amazing, and we can use any type of energy and that enthusiasm, and I know that, I know our fans in Bank of America Stadium will be fired up if that does happen."