ChubaHubbard

News: 5 days agoHubbard carried the ball five times for 17 yards and failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Packers.

Spin: As expected, Rico Dowdle took over as the No. 1 back for Carolina rather than working in a timeshare with Hubbard, and he turned 25 totes into 130 rushing yards and two TDs. It's the first time Hubbard has failed to get double-digit carries in a game when healthy since Week 1 of 2024, but it likely won't be the last as Dowdle continues to build job security in the starting role. Hubbard's best chance of making an impact in Week 10 might be if the Panthers can build a big lead at home against the Saints, offering the potential for some garbage-time touches.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Hubbard signed a contract extension with Carolina last season, which locked him in as the team's lead back for the near future. The 2021 fourth-round pick has amassed 275-plus touches in each of the past two seasons and, despite missing two games in 2024, he finished in the top 15 among RBs in carries, targets, touches, yards, touchdowns and fantasy points. He ran well (4.8 YPC) and was busy near the goal line (he ranked fifth with 17 carries inside the 5-yard line), but he struggled as a receiver (RB-worst 3.2 YPT). With Jonathon Brooks (ACL) out for the entire 2025 season, Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne are Hubbard's primary competition for touches. The 26-year-old makes for a solid RB2 target.