Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has become firmly entrenched in the backup role following Rico Dowdle's early-season breakout. Hubbard missed Weeks 5 and 6 due to injury, leaving Dowdle with the perfect opportunity to break out. The veteran capitalized on the opportunity, seized the lead-back role, and never looked back. As a result, Hubbard's role declined when he returned from injury, and his involvement took another step back two weeks ago. He has played fewer than 23 percent of the offensive snaps in each of his last two games, totaling just eight carries and one reception during that span. Despite signing an extension last winter, Hubbard is now a mere handcuff option behind Dowdle, a potential league-winner.

From RotoBaller

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From FantasyLife

NFL Trade Deadline Tracker: Rumors and Updates on Jakobi Meyers, Breece Hall and Other Fantasy-Relevant Players KC Joyner breaks down the latest NFL Trade deadline updates and rumors ahead of Tuesday's 2025 deadline. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

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From FantasyLife

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard saw little involvement in the running game in Carolina's 16-13 surprise win over the Packers in Week 9. The Panthers' RB logged just 17 yards on five carries while registering 1.7 PPR fantasy points, his lowest in a single game this season. Earlier in the week, head coach Dave Canales said that Rico Dowdle would be the team's starting running back and handle the majority of touches. Sunday's game proved that to be the case, as Hubbard only played on 16.7% of snaps while Dowdle went on to have his third game this year with over 28 PPR points. Fantasy players should bench Hubbard until further notice as a handcuff to Dowdle, but also pay attention to any rumors about him being moved at the trade deadline this week. Another team may resurrect Hubbard's fantasy appeal, so fantasy players should be patient and not cut him yet.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard may not be worth consideration for fantasy lineups in Week 9 against the Packers, unless you are in a desperate situation. Since returning in Week 7 from a calf injury, Hubbard has totaled just 65 rushing yards and 8.5 PPR fantasy points. During that span, the running game workload was split between Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and Hubbard took the most snaps (57%). Dowdle was the more efficient runner, though, outrushing Hubbard 133 to 65 yards. Earlier in the week, head coach Dave Canales said that Dowdle would be the team's starting RB in Week 9 and get the bulk of carries. Although Hubbard will contribute to the running game, his reduction in touches severely lowers his fantasy outlook, especially against a Packers run defense that allowed 13.9 points to RBs in the last two weeks, which was fifth-best in the league during that period. For now, Hubbard should be left on the bench for Week 9 against Green Bay. Be sure to monitor any trade rumors involving him heading up to the trade deadline. A move to another team could instantly revive his fantasy appeal, so don't cut Hubbard yet.

From RotoBaller

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From FantasyLife

NFL Trade Deadline Tracker: Rumors Updates on Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara and Other Fantasy-Relevant Players KC Joyner breaks down the latest NFL Trade deadline updates and rumors ahead of Tuesday's 2025 deadline. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Carolona Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is not expected to be moved at the trade deadline, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. Despite some speculation regarding Hubbard's role after head coach Dave Canales indicated that they will ride the hot hand with Rico Dowdle moving forward, the 26-year-old is expected to remain with the team through the trade deadline. It's been a disappointing season for Hubbard after a career year last season, when he rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries. He's been unable to replicate that sort of efficiency in 2025, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry on 79 carries in the six games he's started. With Dowdle expected to take the bulk of the work now, Hubbard is likely best left on the bench for their Week 9 matchup against the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard delivered another underwhelming fantasy performance in Week 8. The fifth-year running back rushed for 34 yards on 12 carries, although he did slightly pad his mediocre totals with a garbage-time TD in the fourth quarter. Hubbard finished with 9.4 fantasy points and had 12 carries to Rico Dowdle's eight. He averaged just 2.8 yards per carry, though, while Dowdle was at 6.8 per attempt. Hubbard remains an inefficient runner this season, as it was his third consecutive game with less than 50 rushing yards and his fourth straight with less than 10 fantasy points. The outlook for Hubbard is not likely to improve much in Week 9's matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have reeled off three straight wins and scored 27-plus points in their last four games. He's not much of a factor in the passing game if the Panthers must work from behind again. Hubbard will be a somewhat shaky flex option for Week 9.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had 54 rushing yards in a loss to the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: The return of Chuba Hubbard (34 yards on 12 carries) and negative game scripts have completed zapped the weekly potential of Dowdle. However, he's still been more effective than Hubbard each week and it's hard to imagine the Panthers continuing to give Hubbard more opportunities moving forward. Regardless, Dowdle remains a trade candidate for non-contenders who hope he lands a contract with a team as a starter next season.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Chuba Hubbard is worth lineup consideration against the Bills in Week 8. Buffalo's run defense surrendered 46.6 fantasy points against running backs in the last two weeks. The Bills allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs of all NFL teams across that period. Hubbard will be part of a running back timeshare alongside Rico Dowdle, as head coach Dave Canales mentioned earlier in the week. The former fourth-round pick's snap count exceeded Dowdle's all season, including last week's game, where he played on 54% of snaps. Even though Hubbard played on more snaps, on the ground, Dowdle was the better runner with 79 rushing yards over Hubbard's 31 yards. As long as the game remains competitive, Hubbard will contribute to the running game in this matchup. Considering that six teams are on bye for Week 8, Hubbard is a low-end RB2 or Flex start.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard returned from injury to post 31 rushing yards, two catches, and 24 receiving yards in a win against the Jets. Dynasty Analysis: More importantly, Hubbard started the game over the red-hot Rico Dowdle. Hubbard didn't do nearly as much as Dowdle but the Panthers seemed content to just rotate their backs on every series. It's a great opportunity for Carolina to keep their runners fresh but this could create a nightmare in fantasy leagues. Hubbard is looking like a flex player at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) will return to the field for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets. Hubbard is expected to be back in the mix after missing each of the last two games. During that time, Rico Dowdle went off for over 400 scrimmage yards with two touchdowns. Now, it's unclear if Hubbard will return to his job as the lead back in Carolina. The expectation is that the two of them will have a closer split in the backfield. It wouldn't be shocking for each back to get around 10 carries this weekend. That being said, Hubbard is probably only worth a look as a flex option for Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Friday that running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) will play on Sunday against the New York Jets in Week 7, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Hubbard will be making his return following a two-game absence due to a calf injury. While the 26-year-old was out, Rico Dowdle dominated to the tune of over 400 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 total touches. Before Hubbard's injury, he was the clear leader of Carolina's backfield. But given how well Dowdle played the last two weeks, things are probably going to shake out differently moving forward in terms of a backfield plan for the Panthers. The coaching staff hasn't given many hints about how the usage will be split between the two backs against the Jets this weekend. The most likely scenario is that Dowdle will take on a bigger role, with the backfield potentially split in half.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf), who has missed the last two games due to a calf injury, said on Wednesday that he expects to play on Sunday when the team travels to New York to take on the Jets, according to David Newton of ESPN. Hubard was limited in Wednesday's practice but was in full pads on Thursday. The 26-year-old was the Panthers' clear RB1 before his calf injury, but during his two-game absence, Rico Dowdle exploded on the scene to go for 400-plus scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 touches for Carolina. Dowdle has surely earned a bigger piece of the backfield pie, even with Hubbard potentially returning in Week 7, but the coaching staff would not commit to Dowdle starting this weekend. If Hubbard indeed returns against the Jets, the Panthers could look to split the backfield evenly, making it tougher for both RBs to hit their true ceilings.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) was officially a limited participant in his return to practice on Wednesday, according to David Newton of ESPN. This is the first time that Hubbard has practiced since injuring his calf in Week 4. The 26-year-old missed Weeks 5 and 6 and left backfield duties to Rico Dowdle, who took full advantage of the elevated role to go for 473 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 60 touchdowns over that span. Dowdle's domination has allowed the Panthers to slow-play Hubbard's return, but it looks like he could make it back this Sunday against the New York Jets. Carolina has said that it will be more of an even split in the backfield between Hubbard and Dowdle when Hubbard returns, which will lower the fantasy ceilings of both RBs. Dowdle could see more work in Week 7 if Hubbard is eased back into the offense this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past two games. During his absence, Rico Dowdle has impressed, which could impact the backfield rotation moving forward. Earlier in the season, Hubbard held a near two-to-one edge in snaps over Dowdle, but that split may narrow as the coaching staff rewards Dowdle's recent success. While Hubbard's return will cut into Dowdle's fantasy value, both backs could remain involved against a vulnerable Jets run defense that ranks 23rd in the league, allowing 130 rushing yards per game. Fantasy managers should monitor practice reports this week to see how Carolina plans to divide touches ahead of Sunday's matchup.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) has missed the team's last two games due to a calf injury. In that stretch, Panthers back Rico Dowdle has been dominant, recording 473 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Despite Dowdle's breakout, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Hubbard will "remain a focal point" in Carolina's offense. Fowler also notes that the team is "taking the approach that both players will get their touches regardless of who gets the first snap." Fantasy managers may have to take the approach that both Panthers running backs will see a relatively equal workload once Hubbard returns to the field. If Hubbard remains out in Week 7, Dowdle profiles as a clear must-start running back in a favorable matchup against the New York Jets.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) has missed the last two games, and in his stead, Rico Dowdle has run for 389 yards and added 84 receiving yards and two touchdowns. When asked if Dowdle has earned the right to continue his role as the starting running back, head coach Dave Canales was non-committal. There's an adage around the NFL that players don't lose jobs to injury, but when their replacement is responsible for over half the team's total yardage over a surprising two-game winning streak, Canales' "We'll see" makes a lot of sense. With Dowdle averaging 7.3 yards per carry over the past two games, while seeing 60 total opportunities, he remains a must-start until proven otherwise.

From RotoBaller