CHARLOTTE — For nearly four months, Robert Hunthas been waiting for this.
And so have the Carolina Panthers.
The team activated the Pro Bowl guard from injured reserve on Friday, bringing back their enforcer on the offensive line, and one of the spiritual leaders of the team ahead of Saturday's wild card game against the Rams.
Hunt's been out since tearing his biceps tendon in Week 2 at Arizona, but has practiced the last two weeks to be ready for this.
"I feel good," Hunt said earlier this week. "If I get the opportunity, I'll be ready."
If there's any doubt about what's coming, his status on the injury report was removed, he's no longer questionable, and is playing. (The team did not activate Chandler Zavala from IR this week, so his status was changed to out.)
Hunt admitted he might be a little rusty after not playing the last 15 games, but his addition could be a significant boost for the Panthers line.
His return will create the 12th different combination of starting lines this season, and his ability is something they're looking forward to adding. Last season, he made an instant impact, helping the Panthers go from 65 sacks allowed the previous year to 36, and establish their run game as a legitimate threat. That earned him a Pro Bowl berth, and the respect of his peers.
"He's fired up to help out his teammates," Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. "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."
Hunt's been a fixture around the building and on the sidelines throughout his time off, which he said "kept me hungry" for the chance to return for the first playoff game here since 2015.
"It kept me hungry to come out and try to be able to work my butt off to come back and compete if we got a chance to play in the playoffs," he said. "It's been around missing the games, like this is what I, I told you guys this in the summer. I'm excited for what is about to happen Saturday. Like that's what I wanted to be a part of."
View some of the best shots of Thursday's practice as the Panthers' prepare for their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers practice for the Playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
