“Couple of huge days” for Rob Hunt
The Panthers activated wide receiver David Moore from injured reserve on Tuesday, and they should have a better idea soon whether right guard Robert Hunt is ready to join him.
Hunt was a full participant in practice on Tuesday, and Canales said that Wednesday’s practice would be a good barometer of whether he’ll be ready to appear for the first time since tearing his biceps tendon in Week 2.
“Rob’s got a couple of huge days; he looked great today,” Canales said. “Tomorrow is going to be an elevated practice. We’re going to run a little bit more, push on each other a little bit, and that’s going to be a really big test for him, so we’re just going to have to take that one day to day.
“But I’m very optimistic about it. He’s excited about it; he’s so proud to be part of what we’ve been doing. He’s kind of been watching it from the sidelines, literally. But to be a part of where we’re at as it should be, feels really special for Rob.”
Canales admitted that there was some sensitivity about possibly replacing guys who have helped the Panthers get to this point, but the potential of adding a Pro Bowler like Hunt at this point in the season was also exciting as he and general manager Dan Morgan discussed roster moves.
“That’s always a really difficult decision for me and for Dan, as we think about the guys who’ve worked so hard to help us to get to this point,” Canales said. “And understanding that the plan was always that Rob and D-Mo (Moore) were going to help us do that, and now they’re ready.
“And we have this window to evaluate the guys, to get David back on the team and evaluate if we can have him up this week or not, we have to make those decisions too.”
