Chuba

Hubbard

The entire Carolina offense revolved around Hubbard in this one, as the Panthers ditched their pass-heavy approach for an ultra run-heavy offense against a middle New Orleans defense. Hubbard had a couple long plays and a touchdown called back on penalties too. He plodded along for much of the game before exploding for a long gain on a well-designed screen play late in the fourth quarter. Hubbard, who now has seven games with at least 17 rushes, has been one of the most reliable running backs in fantasy this season. That might change a bit when Jonathon Brooks returns from injury, perhaps in Week 11 against the Ravens.

Hubbard’s 16 totes were his second fewest since Week 2, though fantasy managers will at least take the 96 yards from scrimmage. Handling huge workloads and snap counts, Hubbard hasn’t always maintained his efficiency under such voluminous usage, though we have yet to see any red flags in 2026. He will remain a strong option on the RB1/2 borderline for Week 10 against the Saints.

Hubbard was easily the most effective offensive player for the Panthers, but that’s at least partially an insult to everyone else as much as it was compliment to him. The tailback was able to make the most of the limited rushing room, and with Bryce Young having zero time to throw the football, he was a frequent target of Young’s checkdowns. Trevor Etienne received just one carry for one yard, meanwhile. Hubbard’s usage makes him a high-end RB2 for Week 9 against the Broncos, even if it’s more floor than ceiling.

With Bryce Young committing three turnovers — killing drives and setting up Bucs short fields that took the Panthers out of run-friendly game script — Hubbard had little shot at providing fantasy-friendly returns this afternoon unless he found the end zone late. He did not, with those honors going to “Anthony Tyus III” in garbage time. It was just one of those days in Charlotte. Thankfully the Panthers don’t have long to stew, as they must now get ready for a short-week Thursday evening road date with the Packers. With most Pack — and Panthers — games projecting as shootouts these days, Hubbard will remain safely ensconced in the high-end RB2 ranks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.