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    Hubbard sees 13 touches, scores twice vs. CHI

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    CAR Running Back #30
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    Chuba Hubbard had ten rushes for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ Week 1 loss to the Bears, adding three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

    Hubbard was the clearcut lead back for the run-heavy Carolina offense. Jonathon Brooks saw five touches on the day, and ran six pass routes for 29 routes for Hubbard, who was the Panthers’ primary red zone back throughout the game. For now Hubbard’s role in the run-first Panthers offense seems secure while the team eases Brooks into action. That could change at some point this season. Hubbard will be a locked-in RB2 option next week against a middling Falcons defense.
Can Johnson lead Bears to the Super Bowl?
The Athletic's Chicago Bears reporter Kevin Fishbain joins Dan Patrick to discuss Ben Johnson and the Bears' offense, their potential of being a Super Bowl contender, and the state of the NFC East.

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  • CAR Running Back #30
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    It wasn’t easy for Hubbard, who didn’t have many runs over 10 yards, but he ran hard, broke tackles, and was able to find the end zone in the fourth quarter for a short touchdown run. Still, the Panthers did have some issues running the ball up the gut against the Eagles and continued to do it, rather than try to get Hubbard going on the edge. Trevor Etienne was the only other running back to have a carry in this game, and he had just one rush, so this backfield belongs entirely to Hubbard, which is tremendous for his fantasy value.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    Hubbard’s successes on the ground allowed the Panthers to remain balanced on a night they were without two of their top three wide receivers due to the absences of Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette, cashing in on two scores from 15 and two yards out. Hubbard appears to be locked into an RB1 workload in the absence of Jonathan Brooks, who will be out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery. His 26 opportunities dwarfed the six of current backup AJ Dillon, the latter of whom gained just seven total yards on six touches. Fantasy managers can start Hubbard with confidence when the team returns from their bye to face the Eagles in Week 6.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    With Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve, Hubbard’s 23 touches were nine more than he handled in Week 2, and 10 more than Week 1. Although he ceded a smattering of snaps to new backup AJ Dillon, he was a near every-down player in this road loss. Hubbard lacks high-end fantasy upside, but his floor right now is very much that of a locked-in RB2. That will be especially true for matchups like next week’s date with the defensively-challenged Lions.
  • FA Running Back #30
    Carolina is in need of some backfield reinforcements after losing Jonathon Brooks to a core injury that will leave him sidelined for at least six weeks. AJ Dillon is set to fill in for Brooks while Chub Hubbard presumably continues as the team’s lead back. Ekeler, 31, who hasn’t played since injuring his Achilles last September, could be an emergency running back if Hubbard or Dillon go down with injuries in the coming weeks. First he’ll need to make the squad.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    Hubbard operated as the Panthers’ unquestioned RB1, out-carrying Jonathon Brooks 12-5. He got on the board early with a touchdown catch near the goal line. It was his second touchdown grab of the year and his third time finding the end zone in total. Brooks also left the game early with a groin injury and his status for Week 3 is up in the air. Hubbard was already going to project for RB2 numbers with Brooks in the middle. He will push to the middle of the RB2 pack if Brooks is out versus the Browns.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    In his first regular season action, Brooks played well behind lead back Chuba Hubbard, who finished the day with ten carries and three receptions. The highlight of Brooks’ day came on a sideline throw from Bryce Young that went for 48 yards. Brooks, coming off multiple major knee injuries, showed impressive burst and speed on the catch and run. That Hubbard was the team’s primary option inside the ten yard line is bad news for Brooks’ touchdown upside in the Carolina offense. For now he profiles as a bench stash in case Hubbard misses time this season.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    We’ll have a better sense of Brooks’ Week 1 availability in a few hours when the Panthers release their final injury report for the week, but the third-year back logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and is trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Bears. If he’s active, Brooks is expected to split touches with Chuba Hubbard, which could put a hard cap on both players’ upside in the season-opener.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Now we know what Brooks has been dealing with for the past week or so. Beginning the week with a limited session is a good sign regarding his Week 1 availability, but obviously we hope to see him practice fully as soon as possible, given his extensive injury history. He could end up rotating in behind RB Chuba Hubbard if active.
  • CAR Running Back #25
    Brooks has now worked to the side in two straight practices and Panthers coaches are being cagy about his ailment. It’s not a great develop less than two weeks ahead of Carolina’s season opener. Chub Hubbard, meanwhile, is back at practice after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for a couple weeks. Brooks’ practice status will be very much worth monitoring in the coming days. He appears to be nothing more than a touchdown-dependent flex for right now.
  • CAR Running Back #30
    The team’s plan, per Graziano, is for Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks to split carries this season. That comes as little surprise. “If Hubbard stays healthy, he’s the one in whom they’ve built up more trust, so I’d expect him to be the one the Panthers lean on to try to grind out games when they have the lead,” Graziano said. “The split should be pretty close, but it would not be a surprise at all to get to the end of the season and see that Hubbard got the majority of the work.” Brooks on Tuesday practiced to the side while Hubbard (hamstring) practiced in full. It’s a concerning situation for those who have gone in on Brooks as Carolina’s lead back.

Rotoworld

  • JAC Wide Receiver #7
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that several teams believe the Jaguars could trade WR Brian Thomas Jr.

    Appearing on ESPN Saturday morning, Fowler, citing Thomas’ zero catches over the last two weeks, said something has to give in this situation. According to several teams the NFL Insider talked to, Thomas could be traded over the next few weeks. Fowler listed the Chiefs and Steelers as potentially interested teams and was emphatic that there will be suitors for Thomas. If you have Thomas in fantasy, it’s hard to imagine his value getting worse with a change of scenery. The Jaguars would appear content to roll with Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Travis Hunter as their top receivers in the event of a Thomas trade.
  • DET Tight End #87
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    The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reports “it’s more likely than not” that the Lions work out an extension with TE Sam LaPorta before free agency.

    According to one of Jones’ sources, Lions GM Brad Holmes “does not like losing his draft picks, especially high ones.” A second-rounder in 2023, LaPorta made waves earlier this week when he expressed frustration with his lack of a contract extension on the Pardon My Take podcast. While those frustrations persist, the 25-year-old tight end clarified some of his comments to local Detroit media Friday, reiterating his desire to stay with the Lions long-term. Jones notes that other extensions the Lions have handed out have taken some time to get done. He also cautions that the team shouldn’t wait too long to sign LaPorta as the Raiders are unlikely to waste time making Brock Bowers the highest-paid tight end in football when he becomes extension-eligible after the season.
  • IND Running Back #28
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    The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reports the Colts aren’t discussing a Jonathan Taylor trade yet.

    Jones writes that his understanding is the Colts will wait a few weeks before deciding what to do with their star running back. Indianapolis decided to move on from GM Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start. The way things are trending, it’s easy to imagine the Colts still on the outside of the playoff race in a few weeks. At that point interim GM Ed Dodds could look to recoup draft assets the team lost in previous trades. According to Jones, moving Taylor “would be the most expedient route” to acquiring a high draft pick. Citing sources, Jones lists the Giants and Vikings as potential suitors if Taylor is made available on the trade market. Taylor signed a two-year extension with the Colts in August that hasn’t even kicked in yet.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
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    ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) is “50/50" to play against the Bengals in Week 7.

    Appearing on ESPN Saturday morning, Fowler said the Ravens are “hopeful” that Jackson can play against the Bengals. He added that the team isn’t “overly optimistic” because, according to a source, Jackson is “50/50" to play in Week 7. If Jackson can’t go, Tyler Huntley will get the start and fantasy managers will need a backup plan this week. At this point, it’s unlikely we receive more clarity on the situation before inactives are released Sunday morning.
  • DET Tight End #87
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    Sam LaPorta said he wants to continue playing for the Lions long-term.

    Earlier this week, LaPorta expressed frustration in an interview about his contract negotiations stalling in-season. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy asked him a few follow-up questions today on the matter today, and LaPorta made clear that he hopes to remain a Lion long-term and is excited about the prospect of raising a family in Detroit. LaPorta seemed extremely earnest, saying he felt bad about his comments potentially causing a distraction for his team, but he knows his teammates care for him and want him to be happy and compensated. He handled the issue well and appears to be ready to play hard for a lucrative contract extension, which is good news for fantasy managers. LaPorta is a locked-in TE1 against the Packers this week.
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    Jevón Holland (concussion) is questionable to play in Week 7 against the Texans.

    Holland, the Giants’ starting free safety, and Tyler Nubin (neck), the Giants’ starting strong safety, are both questionable to play. Meanwhile, starting perimeter CB Greg Newsome (concussion) has been ruled out. Expect the Texans’ passing offense to stay hot this week.
  • SEA Wide Receiver #22
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    Rashid Shaheed (hip) is not on the Seahawks’ final injury report and will play in Week 7 against the Chiefs.

    The Seahawks’ sporadic producer will be on the field against the Chiefs this week. Shaheed has been involved as a receiver and as a rusher, scoring touchdowns in consecutive weeks. He offers a low floor, but he makes for a viable FLEX starter this week.
  • NO Running Back #43
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    CJ Donaldson (shoulder) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 7 against the Steelers.

    Donaldson is the third member of the Saints’ backfield committee. While he will get a few touches this week, he is not getting enough work for fantasy relevance.
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    Landon Dickerson (knee/pectoral) was limited on Friday.

    Dickerson injured a pectoral muscle on Thursday, complicating his knee-related return from injured reserve. He is firmly in the questionable camp at this time. Eagles C Drew Kendall (knee) was upgraded to full participation.
  • PHI Running Back #26
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    Saquon Barkley (hamstring) was limited on Friday.

    We had really hoped to see Barkley practice in full today. He still has a chance to take the field when the Eagles face the Cowboys in Week 7’s Monday Night Football game, but he is inching toward a questionable designation right now. Upgrading to full tomorrow would increase his odds of playing.