Chuba

Hubbard

Blackshear’s health normally wouldn’t change the fantasy landscape in the slightest, but with Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders both out, Blackshear is the next man up for RB2 duties in Charlotte. Blackshear’s absence would lock Chubba Hubbard in for nearly every available snap at running back in Week 15.

He added four catches for 15 yards on five targets. Already staked to a big role, Jonathon Brooks’ injury made the backfield 100 percent Hubbard. He was more of an efficient runner than an explosive one, with only three negative runs all day — one of which was because Bryce Young tripped on third-and-goal — and a long of just 15. Hubbard will be on the RB1/RB2 borderline in Week 15 against the Cowboys given the volume and Dallas’ up-and-down run defense.

Hubbard took 100.0 percent of the two-minute drills snaps, plus 14-of-17 third- and fourth-down snaps but failed to earn a single target. Jonathon Brooks, meanwhile, earned three. Hubbard’s overtime fumble was likely his most consequential play. Buccaneers LB Anthony Nelson cleanly stripped the ball out of Hubbard’s hands on a run up the middle from the Buccaneers’ 34-yard line. Hubbard could see a reduced role against the Eagles in Week 14. He is an RB2/3 for the occasion.

Hubbard had full control over the Carolina backfield with rookie Jonathon Brooks making his pro debut. Hubbard saw almost all the early down work and, importantly, the red zone opportunities, including a short touchdown in the fourth quarter. Like almost every running back to face Kansas City this season, Hubbard was held in check, averaging a meager 3.7 yards per carry and rarely seeing open running lanes until late in the second half. He should have better prospects in Week 13 against a gettable Tampa defense. Brooks is a bench stash for now.

Brooks will make his long-awaited debut on Sunday against the Chiefs. Once thought to have a chance to be ready for Week 1, the rookie has spent nearly a year recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last November while playing with the Texans Longhorns. It goes without saying that Brooks will eat into Chuba Hubbard’s workload going forward, but for now, we can only speculate on how much work he’ll see early on and how fast his role will grow. Like Hubbard, Brooks is a do-it-all back who can help the Panthers on all three downs. Fantasy managers eager to start Brooks should give it at least one week. If you’re forced to start him due to a brutal bye week, expectations should be tempered.

It’s been a long time coming for Brooks, who was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Panthers activated Brooks from the reserve/NFI list on November 6th but opted not to play him in Week 10. He had an extra week to recover during the team’s Week 11 bye, but is now expected to be active for Week 12’s game against the Chiefs. Brooks will eat into Chuba Hubbard’s workload going forward, but it’s hard to know how much of a dent he’ll make early on. Hubbard is fresh off signing a four-year contract extension with the Panthers, an indication that they still plan to utilize him at a high rate in the coming years. Fantasy managers who have stashed Brooks all season will soon be rewarded for their patience, but he’s best left on fantasy benches until we get a better sense on how the team plans to use him.

Sanders was carted off in Week 10 against the Giants, but his ankle injury doesn’t appear to be of the season-ending variety. Rapoport said the team believes Sanders, the team’s No. 2 back behind Chuba Hubbard, could “miss a little time.” Look for Jonathon Brooks to take on RB2 duties in Week 11 with Sanders out, while Hubbard remains the lead back in the run-first Carolina offense.

The career day for Hubbard almost became a nightmare late in the fourth quarter. Hubbard’s knee was bent backward while being tackled and he coughed up the football. The Giants scooped it up, putting their offense in the red zone for a potential game-tying score. Hubbard stayed down for a while and the optics of the injury were concerning to say the least. He ultimately walked off under his own power. In an almost miraculous turn of events, the Panthers immediately forced a turnover and Hubbard was on the field for the next drive as if the play never happened. Hubbard told reporters after the game that he briefly dislocated his knee and that it has happened before. He gets a Week 11 bye to recover from the knee issue which seems like it won’t cost him any time. Even with Jonathon Brooks expected to play in Week 12, Hubbard will sit in the RB2 ranks versus the Chiefs.

Hubbard has served as the Panthers’ bell cow back for most of this season. The fourth-year back has racked up 773 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in his first nine games and is averaging 17.7 opportunities per game — a career-high. The Panthers’ decision to re-up with Hubbard while rookie second rounder Jonathon Brooks lies in wait is a curious one, but it’s safe to assume both backs will see plenty of work in the coming years. Hubbard’s deal includes $15 million in guaranteed money and he can earn up to $37.2 million with added incentives.

Today was the Panthers’ final day to bring him off the NFI list. He practiced in full last week and was a full-go today as well. All signs point toward the rookie making his NFL debut in Week 10 versus the Giants, though don’t have to make him active if they think he needs more time to recover. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach with this backfield. In his first game off the ACL tear he suffered in college, Brooks will almost certainly play a backup role to Chuba Hubbard. Brooks will spend a week in the RB5 ranks while Hubbard is no longer a locked-in RB2.