The NFL regular season is 48 hours away, which means football fans and fantasy managers are paying extra close attention to various injuries around the league. What’s the latest on Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, and will he play in Week 1?
The Latest on Chuba Hubbard’s Health
Hubbard went down at practice last month and was grabbing at his right knee. He did not return to the field, and head coach Dave Canales confirmed that it was a knee injury.
Fortunately, Hubbard avoided a significant injury, and he actually played in Carolina’s final preseason game. Hubbard had three carries for 15 yards vs. the Buffalo Bills.
Hubbard will be ready to go for Week 1, and with rookie Jonathon Brooks missing at least the first four weeks of the season, he should get a ton of carries to start the year.
Jason Katz’s Fantasy Analysis for Chuba Hubbard
I have Hubbard projected for 660 rushing yards, 21 receptions for 149 receiving yards, and 6.0 total touchdowns. That comes out to 8.13 fantasy points per game, placing him at RB45 in my projections, not too dissimilar to the PFN consensus.
Hubbard’s ADP is RB44, which is identical to my RB44 ranking. The price is low enough that he’s a viable selection as a handcuff and a guy you might be able to start early in the season before Brooks gets going.
MORE: PFN’s Consensus 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings
Given the Panthers’ RB depth chart, we can also be reasonably confident in Hubbard’s status as the primary beneficiary should Brooks get hurt or not fully recover this season.
Hubbard is a fine selection as your fantasy team’s RB5, but he does lack the potential to win his team’s lead-back job on performance alone. If you opt to go with lower floor, higher ceiling options, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.