The Carolina Panthers shocked fantasy football managers during championship week by placing star running back Chuba Hubbard on injured reserve and shutting him down for the remainder of the season due to calf and knee injuries.
With Hubbard out (who had been posting career numbers), fantasy managers are now in a tough spot, considering how many teams have already played in this five-day football gauntlet.
Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone are now next in line in the RB depth chart. Are either good options in fantasy? And if you really have no choice, which one should you be plugging into Hubbard’s spot?
Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone Fantasy Outlook
Hubbard had a great season for the Panthers, but it was as much a result of Carolina’s trust in him as it was anything him doing at an elite level. This season, Hubbard’s fantasy production was essentially in line with what you’d expect given his touch quality (2.6% below expectations), a scary number for anyone trying to stream this backfield given that we are unsure of how the hierarchy plays out.
Blackshear is three years Boone’s junior and figures to get the first look at work today due to his experience with the system. Yet, there’s no denying that these are two similar backs with limited versatility playing in a game that projects to have a passing script.
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Not ideal.
At the RB position as a whole, the Panthers rank 22nd in yards gained per carry before first contact, leading me to believe that both Blackshear and Boone are facing an uphill battle when it comes to efficiency.
I’m giving Boone the slight edge in scoring equity due to his experience and size advantage, but Blackshear grades out better as the overall option this week, thanks to catching six of seven targets on 30 routes run with Bryce Young under center a season ago.
Adding either to your roster makes plenty of sense as you look to block your opponent’s paths to success. However, counting on either Blackshear or Boone to return top-30 value at the position is more optimistic than I am willing to be with your season on the line.
Additional Panthers Insights and Stats
Team: The Panthers haven’t won a game that wasn’t decided in overtime or by less than a field goal once since the beginning of last season (Week 3 at Raiders: 36-22).
QB: Splash plays? Young has a 30+ yard completion in four of his past five games and a 10+ yard rush in five of his past six.
Offense: The Panthers have turned 13 of their past 14 goal-to-go situations into touchdowns.
Defense: Last Sunday was the seventh time this season in which the Panthers allowed points on the majority of opponent drives.
Fantasy: Adam Thielen has caught 5+ passes in all four games this month and has scored in three of his past six, yet he has just two games this season with 60+ receiving yards.
Betting: The Panthers are 4-11 against the spread in their last 15 road games. Carolina covered in Philadelphia in Week 14 but haven’t covered consecutive road games since Weeks 11-14 in 2022.