Fantasy football managers have been anxiously monitoring the status of the Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, whose recent absence has created significant ripple effects across the league. His prolonged recovery has allowed Rico Dowdle to emerge as a dominant force, leading the NFL in rushing yards over the past two weeks.
The timing of Hubbard’s potential return in Week 7 raises crucial questions about his role moving forward. A developing situation has fantasy football enthusiasts wondering how the backfield dynamics will unfold when both players are healthy.
Chuba Hubbard Injury Update
Chuba Hubbard has missed the Panthers’ last two games recovering from a lingering calf injury. During that time, Rico Dowdle has led the NFL in rushing (389 yards) and posted back-to-back weeks with 30+ fantasy points per game.
Hubbard is expected to return in Week 7, but his role will likely look different. Dowdle has earned more opportunities. Both players will likely have future fantasy appeal.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Hubbard Fantasy Outlook
Chuba Hubbard had two missed games over the two seasons prior, but this calf injury has now cost him consecutive games. Without him touching the practice field at all ahead of Week 6, it’s hard to imagine him returning to bellcow status in the short term.
Hubbard averaged 16.5 touches per game in September, a decline from the 19.5 he handled last season, but still more than enough work to make him a lineup staple.
At least, it was.
Courtesy of a receiving TD in both games, Hubbard was an RB1 in each of the first two weeks this season, but he hadn’t produced even RB2 numbers in the two games before this missed time.
Raw volume is a floor elevator, until it isn’t. Given the limitations of this passing game, Hubbard needs to excel at running through contact, as defenses are inclined to crowd the line of scrimmage.
Last season, Hubbard was great at that (3.46 yards per carry after contact), but that was well ahead of his previous career high (2.87,) and he’s struggled to get anywhere close to that level of success so far this season (2.57).
READ MORE: Chuba Hubbard Injury Update: What’s the Latest on the Panthers RB, and Will He Play in Week 7?
Rico Dowdle is deserving of more work, and I’m not sure how much usage Hubbard has to share before we label him as more of a liability than an asset.
Should he be cleared this weekend, I’ll have him labeled as a viable flex, not because I’m overly confident in him, but because this is a rare spot where game script shouldn’t work away from this run game.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
