RADIO
Jalen Coker Could See an Increase in Target Volume in Week 9
In six games so far in 2026, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker has recorded 27 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns on 44 targets. The 25-year-old's production has slowed lately after a red-hot start to the season, as he's recorded just three catches for 45 yards on nine targets over his last two games played. However, Coker hauled in a late touchdown reception in Carolina's Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers, saving his production. The 25-year-old may also be getting healthier, as he's stayed off the injury report this week after battling a shoulder injury ahead of Week 8 and a quad injury earlier this season. With Panthers WR1 Tetairoa McMillan likely to be covered by superstar cornerback Patrick Surtain II in Carolina's Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Coker could see plenty of targets. Despite his recent production decline, Coker profiles as a top-24 wide receiver against Denver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Regains Fantasy Value After Big Week 8 Showing
Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard struggled to produce for his team in Week 7, but got back on track with a big showing in Week 8 to regain some lost fantasy value. He ran 22 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, plus caught seven of his eight targets for 38 more yards. Hubbard has 540 rushing yards and five touchdowns across 118 attempts in seven games played, while catching 22 of his 26 targets for 150 receiving yards and two more scores. He's the Panthers' workhorse back with Jonathon Brooks (core muscle) still on the injured reserve list. Hubbard has an above-average fantasy matchup coming against the Broncos, so another strong fantasy showing could be coming. He ranks as RB8 in our RotoBaller Week 9 projections, so he's a back to be starting in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryce Young Listed as Full Participant Despite Ankle Injury
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report ahead of Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Carolina did not hold a practice Wednesday, although Young participated in Tuesday's session, after which head coach Dave Canales said the quarterback moved well and was ready to play. Young completed 23 of 41 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and an interception in last Thursday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, taking six sacks. Pass protection remains a significant concern, as Young has been sacked 11 times over his past two games while facing pressure on 50% of his dropbacks. Denver has recorded 23 sacks through eight games, presenting another difficult challenge for Carolina's offensive line. Young's participation is encouraging for his availability, but the matchup makes him a risky fantasy QB2 for Week 9.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Jonathon Brooks a Waiver Target on Verge of his Return From IR
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) was seen getting some work in during Tuesday's unofficial practice, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers are still deciding whether they will open Brooks' 21-day practice window this week to return from Injured Reserve, but it is a good sign that he was out on the practice field on Wednesday. If the 23-year-old's practice window is opened this week and he returns to practice, it will not guarantee his return to the active game-day roster on Sunday for a Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos, though. Brooks, who has already torn his ACL twice while with the Panthers, has not played since Week 2 after having core-muscle surgery, and he will most likely be eased back into Carolina's backfield as the RB2 behind starter Chuba Hubbard whenever he is officially activated from IR. The former second-rounder from Texas has a lengthy injury history but is still a worthwhile RB handcuff in fantasy football in 2026, especially since he is nearing a return. Brooks is currently rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues and is a worthwhile stash for RB depth in 12-team leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Darren Waller Seen on Sidelines at Tuesday's Practice
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller was spotted on the sidelines during Tuesday's practice, according to ESPN's Mike Kaye. The reason for his sideline activity has not been reported, leaving some uncertainty about his status ahead of Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Carolina has previously given the 34-year-old scheduled veteran rest days, so his appearance on the sidelines does not necessarily indicate a new injury. Waller was not listed on the team's final Week 8 injury report and played against Green Bay last Thursday, catching one of two targets for 11 yards. He has recorded 15 receptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns across seven games, but has drawn just two targets in each of his past three appearances. Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans could see additional opportunities if Waller becomes unavailable, although his recent lack of involvement already limits his fantasy appeal.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Xavier Legette Could Return to Practice This Week
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team could "potentially" open the 21-day window for wide receiver Xavier Legette (knee) to return to practice this week, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. However, Canales also said that Legette has some things he still needs to clear recovery-wise. The 25-year-old is now eligible to come off Injured Reserve after landing on the list on Oct. 3 due to a knee injury. If he rejoins the rest of the team at practice this week, it will not guarantee that he plays on Sunday against the Denver Broncos in Week 9. The former first-rounder from South Carolina has been a bust for the Panthers so far in his career and was working as the WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker before his injury, leaving him with very little fantasy football appeal. Legette caught just two of six targets for 64 yards without a touchdown in two games before getting injured. He will most likely remain off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues as long as McMillan and Coker remain healthy.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Panthers Could Open Jonathon Brooks' Practice Window This Week
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the team could "potentially" open the 21-day practice window for running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) to return from Injured Reserve this week, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. However, Canales said that Brooks still has some things he needs to clear recovery-wise. The 23-year-old former second-rounder from Texas has not played since undergoing core-muscle surgery on Sept. 23, but he is now technically eligible to come off IR to give Carolina more backfield depth. Brooks carried a lot of buzz in the summer during training camp and the preseason after recovering from a second torn ACL in his knee, but the injury bug bit him again after he played in just two games to begin the 2026 season. In those two games, Brooks had only nine carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and added two catches for 43 yards in the passing game. When he returns, he should operate as the clear backup to Chuba Hubbard, who has been outstanding for Carolina through eight weeks. Despite missing four games, Brooks is rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues as an RB handcuff.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Panthers Fire Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero
The Carolina Panthers have fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and defensive passing-game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Defensive line coach Todd Wash has been named interim defensive coordinator and will assume play-calling duties following consecutive losses. Carolina surrendered 258 rushing yards in a 43-13 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 before Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday's 27-19 loss. The Panthers failed to record a sack in either contest, although they forced three turnovers against Green Bay. Carolina remains a risky fantasy D/ST option heading into its Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos, with Wash inheriting a defense that has struggled to generate pressure.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Tetairoa McMillan's Recent Struggles Continue Against Packers
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauled in six of 11 targets for 58 yards in the 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While McMillan secured enough short passes to salvage his stat line, he was unproductive downfield and in the red zone in Week 8. Since his monster game in Week 4, McMillan has caught 16 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns, averaging under nine half-PPR fantasy points per game. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has cooled off after a hot start, and the offensive line is currently battered by injuries, leaving Young with little time to push the ball downfield. While McMillan is still the Panthers' lead receiver, his status as a must-start wide receiver in fantasy has worn off after back-to-back games of lackluster production from this passing attack.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryce Young Says His Knee is Fine After Loss in Week 8
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (knee) says he's fine after the 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Postgame, Young said, "Everyone's dealing with something at this point in the year. It's football. Nothing like that is an excuse; go out there and play the game." Young has been playing through a Week 3 knee injury and was sacked six times and hit nine times on Thursday night. With right tackle Taylor Moton on injured reserve, Damien Lewis inactive, and Corey Bullock leaving the game early, Young will likely remain under duress this season. After a hot start by the Panthers offense, injuries have caught up, and nearly every fantasy option besides running back Chuba Hubbard is a risky play moving forward.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Jalen Coker Stays Relevant with Late Touchdown
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker caught two of five targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Bryce Young didn't have a ton of time to get through his progressions on Thursday, and Carolina's passing game struggled as a result. Fortunately for owners, Coker came through late in the fourth quarter on a 26-yard catch-and-run that he cashed in for his third touchdown of the season -- tying a career high. After an electric start to the campaign, the third-year pro out of Holy Cross has caught two or fewer passes in two straight appearances. It's unclear whether a shoulder injury he dealt with during the week contributed to the down performance. Regardless, he's still a key piece on one of the league's most pass-heavy attacks, and better days should be ahead for this offense as a whole. That said, Coker and Carolina won't have it easy in Week 9 when they take on the Denver Broncos at home.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chuba Hubbard Rebounds with Workhorse Volume
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in Thursday night's 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He added 38 yards and seven receptions on eight looks. Hubbard rebounded from a subpar outing by his standards with a third game of 100-plus scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown on a day when the Panthers' passing game struggled mightily. As has been the case for most of the 2026 campaign, the Oklahoma State product was Carolina's engine, consistently grinding out yardage behind a severely depleted offensive line. Moreover, Hubbard has collected 13 targets over his past two appearances, raising an already solid fantasy floor. He'll get a tougher ask in Week 9 when his team takes on the visiting Denver Broncos.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ryan Fitzgerald a Better Deep-League Fantasy Option for Week 8
Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald is looking to improve his numbers as the team takes on Green Bay on Thursday to kick off Week 8. The Packers have allowed the fewest points to opposing kickers this season, so the matchup does not favor Fitzgerald. The kicker could still rack up some fantasy points, especially if the Carolina offense can move the ball, but not finish drives. Fitzgerald has made all 11 of his field goals this season, but has missed five of his 17 extra point attempts. He missed one of his two extra point tries last week, and four of his five misses have come across his past three appearances. Fitzgerald had no field goal attempts in Week 7, which was a lopsided loss for Carolina to Tampa Bay. He sits 16th among kickers in our RotoBaller Week 8 projections. Fitzgerald has some deep-league appeal, but he's one to avoid in standard leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tommy Tremble Faces Stiff Challenge in Week 8
Carolina tight end Tommy Tremble has provided a bit of fantasy value this season, but his Week 8 test against Green Bay on Thursday will be a tough challenge. The Packers' defense has slowed tight ends all season, and with Tremble already sharing snaps and production with fellow tight end Darren Waller, that doesn't leave Tremble with a very good outlook. Tremble had just one catch for eight yards across two targets in Week 7 against Tampa Bay. In the three games before that, the TE had four targets in each contest, but 41, 12 and 46 yards - he scored his lone two touchdowns of the season in Week 6. After Waller and especially wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, there's not a lot of production available for Tremble in the passing game. He sits as TE32 in our RotoBaller Week 8 projections, so he's just a starting option in deeper fantasy setups.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darren Waller a Low-Level Fantasy Option in Tough Matchup
Carolina tight end Darren Waller has a very tough test awaiting in Week 8 against Green Bay on Thursday night. The Packers have been one of the toughest matchups for fantasy tight ends so far, and Waller himself hasn't delivered much, so the tight end is a low-level fantasy option for the coming week. Waller was a bit involved across the team's first four games, tallying at least two catches and 28 yards in each contest, but he's managed just one catch across the past two games combined. The reception was a 50-yard touchdown in Week 7 against Tampa Bay, so he still put up a solid fantasy score, but the bigger takeaway is his lack of involvement lately. He slots in 21st among tight ends in our RotoBaller Week 8 projections, showing he is a better option in deeper fantasy setups.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
