4 months agoCarolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) has been placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move will effectively end Hubbard's season with two weeks remaining on the schedule. Hubbard enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, running with the opportunity to lead Carolina's backfield. He finishes the year with 1,195 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Not only did he take over the backfield from
Miles Sanders, but he also allowed the Panthers to be patient with the debut of
Jonathon Brooks, who recovered from a torn ACL only to re-injure himself in his third NFL game. Hubbard, who ranks 12th among running backs in fantasy points (PPR), played well enough to earn a four-year contract extension during the middle of the season, signifying that the Panthers want him to be a centerpiece of their offense long-term. He should remain the Panthers' primary running back when he returns healthy in 2025, ranking as a high-end RB2 option in fantasy football. Meanwhile, for the final two games of the 2024 season, the Panthers will likely rely on some combination of
Raheem Blackshear,
Velus Jones Jr., and
Mike Boone out of the backfield. There's also a slight chance that Sanders could return from IR for next week's season finale. Without a clear backfield alignment, it's risky to start any Panthers running back in fantasy football for Weeks 17 and 18.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
4 months agoCarolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hubbard has managed limited practices on Thursday and Friday, which is an encouraging sign of his availability for Week 17. Hubbard has had a stellar 2024 campaign, ranking as the RB11 on the season. He has 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Combined with 171 yards and one touchdown through the air. Fantasy managers can confidently start Hubbard this week, as the Buccaneers defense is nothing to write home about. In addition to the matchup, Hubbard has earned a 77.3% snap share on the season and is earning most of the opportunities out of the backfield of late. Hubbard is a borderline RB1 and comes in as RotoBaller's RB12 in the latest rankings for fantasy championship week.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Carolina Panthers
4 months agoAfter being listed as a DNP on Wednesday, Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard (knee) returned to practice on Thursday and was listed as limited. The Panthers were most likely just resting Hubbard early in the week, although he may have to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable tag heading into Sunday's Week 17 date against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As of right now, fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned that the 25-year-old will be in danger of missing this weekend's contest. He recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season in last week's overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. Hubbard has been money for fantasy managers in 2024 and needs to remain locked into starting lineups in Week 17 with championship trophies on the line in most leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Panthers.com
4 months agoCarolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard tallied 152 yards and two scores on 25 attempts in the Week 16 overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. Hubbard caught four of his five targets for 13 yards. With quarterback
Bryce Young only attempting 26 passes, the Panthers leaned on their RB1 to deliver the victory. Hubbard punched in his first score of the afternoon in the opening quarter on a four-yard run. The 25-year-old would then tally his second score on a game-winning 21-yard run in overtime. This was a nice bounce-back outing for Hubbard, as he tallied just 32 rushing yards last weekend. Over his previous seven contests, Hubbard has found the end zone seven times and tallied at least 70 rushing yards in all but two games. Hubbard remains a solid RB2 heading into a Week 17 tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the 15th-fewest points to opposing RBs this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
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