Hubbard has new competition in the Carolina backfield with Miles Sanders replacing D'Onta Foreman, WCNC's Nathaniel Puente reports.
Sanders recently signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract, including $13 million guaranteed, while Foreman settled for a much smaller one-year deal with the Bears after playing out last year on a similar contract for Carolina. Foreman and Hubbard handled the vast majority of RB snaps/touches after the team traded Christian McCaffrey, with Hubbard notably finishing the year on a high note as he racked up 435 total yards over his final five games. The 2021 fourth-round pick now figures to take a backseat to Sanders, whose uneven tenure in Philadelphia was capped off by a career-best 259-1,269-11 rushing line last season. The Panthers could still add more backfield talent, or perhaps find a passing-down role for Raheem Blackshear, given that Sanders and Hubbard both have struggled with drops and don't look especially natural as receivers or blockers. Hubbard's new role might just be as a backup on early downs, with upside dependent on Sanders missing time.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Tops 20 carries
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed 21 times for 69 yards in Sunday's 10-7 win over the Saints.
Hubbard's season high in carries came after teammate D'Onta Foreman was ejected early in the third quarter. Although he wasn't very efficient with his involvement Sunday, Hubbard's importance behind Foreman grew this season after the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey in October. In 15 games, Hubbard rushed 95 times for 466 yards (4.9 per carry) for two touchdowns, and caught 14 of 17 targets for 171 yards. Despite Carolina facing uncertainty over their coach, quarterback and starting tailback next season -- when it's unclear whether Foreman will return -- Hubbard's dependability through his first two seasons could see him remain involved as a complementary option regardless of the surrounding pieces.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Stands out as receiver Sunday
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed three times for 12 yards and secured all three targets for 53 yards in the Panthers' 30-24 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Carolina.
Hubbard's rushing work unexpectedly dried up, but he did salvage his day somewhat with his solid work through the air. The second-year back's carry total was his lowest since Week 6, but he does have a trio of three-catch efforts over the last four games going into a Week 18 road matchup against the Saints.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
The Panthers proved in Week 16 against Detroit that they can run on anyone when D'Onta Foreman and Hubbard combined for 33 carries for 290 yards and a touchdown. Coming into that game, the Lions run defense had been unstoppable for eight games in a row. Tampa Bay's run defense is also stout (No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to running backs), but Foreman and Hubbard had 24 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Buccaneers in the first game for Carolina after trading Christian McCaffrey. For this week, I'll consider Foreman and Hubbard both flex options, and Hubbard might be the better of the two with his role in the passing game. Prior to Week 16, Hubbard had three catches in each of his past two games on six targets, and Tampa Bay has allowed three running backs to catch at least five passes in the past three games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Sleeper RBs
Rotowire
The Panthers proved in Week 16 against Detroit that they can run on anyone when D'Onta Foreman and Hubbard combined for 33 carries for 290 yards and a touchdown. Coming into that game, the Lions run defense had been unstoppable for eight games in a row. Tampa Bay's run defense is also stout (No. 6 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to running backs), but Foreman and Hubbard had 24 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 against the Buccaneers in the first game for Carolina after trading Christian McCaffrey. For this week, I'll consider Foreman and Hubbard both flex options, and Hubbard might be the better of the two with his role in the passing game. Prior to Week 16, Hubbard had three catches in each of his past two games on six targets, and Tampa Bay has allowed three running backs to catch at least five passes in the past three games.
Hubbard has more upside than Moss or Haskins, but I'm terrified of his floor. That's partially because he had four carries for 10 yards just a week ago against the Steelers, partially because Tampa has been elite against the run at times this season, and partially because Raheem Blackshear keeps popping up at inconvenient times. Last week Blackshear stole a touchdown and was the only Panthers back to receive a target. If Hubbard gets shut out again in the passing game he could have a disastrous Week 17. But he's also topped 12 PPR points in two of his past three games.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Prior to facing the Panthers in Week 16, the Lions had gone eight games in a row keeping a running back to 10 PPR points or less. But D'Onta Foreman and Hubbard ran through Detroit for a combined 290 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries, and Hubbard had 12 carries for 125 yards as part of the damage. He's now scored at least 12 PPR points in two of his past three games, with a low of nine over that span, and he had three catches in each outing prior to Week 16. We'll see if he can keep it going in Week 17 at Tampa Bay, which is a tough run defense, but Hubbard had nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 10 yards on three targets against the Buccaneers in Week 7. That was the first game for Carolina after trading Christian McCaffrey, and Hubbard hurt his ankle in that contest. For Week 17, consider Hubbard a high-end flex in all leagues.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Week 17 Early Waiver Targets (Add/Drop)
Rotowire
The Lions had been a pretty good run defense over the past few months, but the Panthers had absolutely no trouble gashing them Sunday. Hubbard took a backseat to D'Onta Foreman but was still tremendous, averaging 10.4 yards per carry on his 12 totes. Hubbard has double-digit touches in three of his past four games on a team that is intent on running the ball as much as possible, and though the Buccaneers can be a tough matchup for running backs, their lack of offensive firepower this season means the Panthers should be able to keep it close enough to run it plenty yet again. Hubbard and Foreman combined for 181 yards on 24 carries in Week 7 against them, and Hubbard has played himself into RB3 contention in this offense.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Gets over 100-yard mark in win
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed 12 times for 125 yards in the Panthers' 37-23 win over the Lions on Saturday.
The second-year back teamed with backfield mate D'Onta Foreman to consistently rip off chunk plays against what had been an improving Lions run defense, although 65 of Hubbard's yards actually came on his first two carries of the contest. Hubbard's yardage total was a career high and marked only his second time eclipsing the century mark, and he'll aim to once again play a key role when the Panthers visit the Buccaneers for a critical Week 17 matchup on Sun., Jan. 1 that could decide the NFC South title.
Hubbard has been the better Panthers back each of the past two weeks, but surprisingly the Lions present a difficult challenge. They haven't allowed a running back to score double-digit PPR Fantasy points since Week 7. If one of the Panthers backs is going to break that streak, we'd bet on Hubbard.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Hubbard is the better Fantasy running back in Carolina this week against the Lions, who have become a brutal matchup as the season has gone on. No running back has scored more than 10 PPR points against Detroit in the past eight games, and that's a reason to avoid D'Onta Foreman this week in all formats. But at least Hubbard has a role in the passing game with three catches and three targets in each of his past two outings against Seattle and Pittsburgh. He could help you as a flex in PPR if needed, and hopefully Sam Darnold continues to throw Hubbard the ball against the Lions in Week 16.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Impact as receiver
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed four times for 10 yards and caught all three of his targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Steelers.
Hubbard actually led the Panthers in rushing yards, evidencing their struggles in the ground game. Despite that situation, he still made a strong impact as a receiver, going for a game-long gain of 45 yards at one point. Without a double-digit touch count like in his two games prior, however, Hubbard's output came from fewer opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
Rotowire
Hubbard is a Sneaky Sleeper more than a must-start. The Steelers aren't a tough matchup anymore. Instead, the worries for each back are related to their ability to score -- Foreman is still more likely to plunge from short yardage than Hubbard. But Hubbard definitely has a role in the offense and should be counted on for a few catches each week -- he has sleeper appeal with an eight-point PPR floor. Foreman has a much better opportunity to rumble for solid yardage and score, putting him in the No. 2 running back convo. In PPR, I'd start Foreman over Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and both Buccaneers RBs. In PPR, I'd start Chuba Hubbard as a low-end flex over Rex Burkhead, Kareem Hunt and A.J. Dillon.
The Panthers have run for 408 yards over their past two games and they're facing a Steelers defense that just allowed J.K. Dobbins to rumble for 120 yards. Hubbard is back in the 1B role, with more passing game work than Foreman and both are startable as low-end No. 2 backs or high-end flexes.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Nearly 100 from scrimmage
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed 14 times for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Seahawks. He also caught all three of his targets for 25 yards.
Hubbard scored from two yards to begin the second quarter. The tailback tied teammate D'Onta Foreman for Carolina's lead in rushing yards, though Hubbard did so on seven fewer carries. With the Panthers totaling 46 rushing attempts, there were plenty of opportunities to go around, as third-stringer Raheem Blackshear even carried four times for 32 yards and a score. However, thanks to his contribution in the passing game, Hubbard was the most productive member of the backfield, turning in an impressive Week 14 performance.
Hubbard is a low-end flex if D'Onta Foreman is healthy, but Foreman is battling multiple injuries, so that's no sure thing. Over the past three weeks the Seahawks have surrendered 455 yards and five touchdowns to running backs. If Foreman is out, Hubbard could be a week winner in Week 14.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Hubbard is worth keeping an eye on with D'Onta Foreman dealing with foot and rib injuries. Should Foreman miss Week 14 then Hubbard would be a must-start running back in all leagues against Seattle. Hubbard had a solid outing in Week 12 against Denver with 17 carries for 65 yards, and the Seahawks have allowed 342 rushing yards and four touchdowns and 113 receiving yards and a touchdown to running backs in the past two games. Hubbard is worth adding in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Earns 17 carries
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed the ball 17 times for 65 yards in Sunday's 23-10 win over the Broncos.
Hubbard saw a relatively even split in workload with D'Onta Foreman, which led to his first game of the season with double-digit rushing attempts. Hubbard was still the secondary back, however, and benefitted from an extremely run-heavy offensive game plan for the Panthers. Moving forward, Carolina will likely have to throw the ball more often to remain competitive, in which case Hubbard's role can be projected to shrink.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Plays second fiddle again
Rotowire
Hubbard rushed four times for no gain and brought in two of three targets for 25 yards in the Panthers' 13-3 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.
Hubbard played a clear second fiddle to D'Onta Foreman again , logging nine fewer carries than his backfield mate. The second-year pro did make an impact through the air with his pair of catches, but his fantasy prospects remain muted going into a Week 12 home date against the Broncos.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Chuba Hubbard: Limited role in return
Rotowire
Hubbard (ankle) rushed five times for 14 yards in the Panthers' 25-15 win over the Falcons on Thursday night.
Hubbard's minimal role wasn't a complete surprise given he was coming off a two-game absence due to an ankle injury and the fact backfield mate D'Onta Foreman had proven successful in a lead-back role. Interim head coach Steve Wilks continued to afford Foreman the opportunity to helm the backfield Thursday night, a decision that proved to be very prudent considering the latter gained 130 yards and scored a touchdown. Consequently, Hubbard appears set to work in a complementary role again during a Week 11 road matchup against the Ravens a week from Sunday.
