RADIO
Jonathon Brooks' Week 10 Status is TBD
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team is taking the next two days to discuss running back Jonathon Brooks' (abdomen) status, according to Mike Kaye of ESPN. Brooks has been on Injured Reserve due to a core-muscle injury since Week 2, but he was seen working off to the side during practice last week and could have his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday. If the 23-year-old former second-rounder from Texas is officially cleared to return to practice this week, he could be a candidate to come off IR to play this weekend on the road against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Despite Brooks' lengthy injury history -- he has torn his ACL twice since entering the NFL -- he is worth stashing as an RB handcuff to Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield for the rest of the season. If he is unable to gain clearance to return in Week 10, Brooks' next chance to play will come in a Week 11 tilt at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 22. In the first two games this year before his injury, Brooks had only nine carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per attempt) and two catches for 43 yards (21.5 yards per reception) as a receiver.
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Kaye
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Kaye
Jonathon Brooks Is a Week 10 Injured Reserve Stash
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) remains on injured reserve after aggravating the injury in Week 2. Head coach Dave Canales initially expected Brooks to miss six to eight weeks, and Joe Person of The Athletic reported that Brooks did rehab work off to the side during last Tuesday's unofficial practice. The Panthers have yet to announce his return to team practice ahead of Sunday's game at New Orleans. Rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues, Brooks is worth an open fantasy injured reserve spot in 12-team PPR leagues, particularly for managers with Chuba Hubbard. Brooks played 33 offensive snaps in two games while Trevor Etienne was on injured reserve. A 48-yard catch against Chicago accounted for nearly two-thirds of the 73 scrimmage yards Brooks gained on 11 touches. Etienne returned in October and played seven offensive snaps against Denver. Brooks would have to move ahead of him to become Hubbard's handcuff. Hubbard played 59 of 66 offensive snaps against Denver, handled 16 of Carolina's 18 running back carries and drew all five targets to the position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Sees Fewer Touches in Week 9 Loss
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has been a workhorse back for this team throughout most of the season. Hubbard took a step back during Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Denver Broncos. He carried the ball 16 times for 79 yards, while hauling in four of his five targets for 17 yards through the air in the loss. The 16 carries were the second fewest for Hubbard since Week 2. It was mainly because of the game script and not due to performance. Hubbard averaged nearly five yards per carry, so he was having success on the ground. Fantasy managers should expect Hubbard to bounce back against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chuba Hubbard Is Poised for Another Juicy Role in Week 9 vs. Denver
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has exceeded expectations so far as the RB8 in fantasy points per game (19.0), while shouldering most of the run-game duty with backfield mates Jonathon Brooks (core) and Trevor Etienne not involved and/or injured. Despite Carolina's recent offensive line struggles, Hubbard has still managed 4.58 ypc and has scored seven total touchdowns. He has only scored under 11 fantasy points in one game this year. His strong involvement in the passing game also boosts his fantasy output, as shown in Week 8 against the Packers, where he caught seven passes on eight targets. The Panthers may have to play a quick game against a blitz-heavy Week 9 opponent in Denver, which could give Hubbard a chance to feast in the passing game. The Broncos have also allowed the eighth-most rushing yards per game, at 127.9 yards. Hubbard should get plenty of work in the running and receiving game to lock himself in as an RB1, ranked as RotoBaller's RB8 in Week 9.
Source: Fantasy Points Data Suite
Source: Fantasy Points Data Suite
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
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
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
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
Chuba Hubbard Primed for Big Showing in Favorable Week 8 Matchup
Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard is set up for success in the team's Week 8 Thursday night game against Green Bay. The Packers have struggled to slow opposing backs so far, allowing 115 rushing yards per contest. Like most of his offensive teammates, Hubbard will be looking to bounce back after a rough showing in Week 7 against Tampa Bay. The RB had just 33 rushing yards on seven attempts, while catching four of his five targets for 27 yards. Hubbard had been over 100 total yards in the three contests before that, so he'll be looking to get back on track in Week 8. While his matchup is favorable, Hubbard will be running behind a couple of new offensive linemen as Taylor Moton (fibula) and Damien Lewis (knee) are each out, so expectations for Hubbard need to be tempered a bit. Hubbard sits ninth among fantasy RBs in our RotoBaller Week 8 rankings, so he's one to be starting in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonathon Brooks is Worth Stashing with Return Looming
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) has not played since Week 2, but he'll hopefully get back on the field soon. Recently, head coach Dave Canales said Brooks was trending in the right direction. The 23-year-old remains on the Injured Reserve right now, so his chances of playing in Week 8 are slim. It wouldn't be shocking to see Brooks back within the next few games, given the fact that he is making progress. He figures to eat into Chuba Hubbard's playing time once Brooks is cleared to play. Fantasy managers who can afford to be patient should consider stashing Brooks, with his return hopefully coming soon.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chuba Hubbard Stymied in Week 7 Loss to Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was limited to seven carries for just 33 yards in a 43-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. The matchup was expectedly difficult, given that the Bucs have excelled at containing the run game this season. Still, it marks a season-low in yards and the first time this season the star back has been held to single-digit carries. Hubbard can rebound in Week 8 against an unremarkable Green Bay Packers defense, but he is a bust for fantasy managers in Week 7.
Source: FOX Sports
Source: FOX Sports
Chuba Hubbard Should Continue Dominance vs. Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard should continue his consistent dominance when his team faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. Hubbard had 28 carries for 120 yards and one touchdown in a Week 6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, bringing him to 89 carries for 426 yards and four touchdowns, with an additional 11 catches for 85 yards and two receiving touchdowns. With teammate Jonathon Brooks (core) still on the mend, Hubbard's heavy workload should continue. The Bucs have excelled at containing the run this season, allowing just 75.5 yards per game on the ground. However, it's highly unlikely any of that impacts the 27-year-old's workload or production. Hubbard is a must-start across fantasy formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonathon Brooks "Trending in the Right Direction"
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Friday that running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen), who is on Injured Reserve, is "trending in the right direction," according to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. Brooks was seen jogging during the team's practice on Thursday and is making progress after having core-muscle surgery early in the 2026 season. Continued injury issues for Brooks have made Chuba Hubbard one of the biggest fantasy football values so far this year. Brooks is a stash candidate off the waiver wire for fantasy managers who need more depth at the position, but he probably will not be a realistic candidate to come off IR to play in the Week 8 contest on Thursday against the Green Bay Packers. The 23-year-old former second-rounder from Texas has played in just five of a possible 38 regular-season games since he entered the league. In two games this year before his core-muscle injury, Brooks handled nine carries for only 30 yards and caught two of his three targets for 43 yards through the air. Right now, he is being stashed in 41% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Alex Zietlow
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Alex Zietlow
Chuba Hubbard Continues to Excel with Enormous Volume
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has been one of the most underrated picks from 2026 fantasy football drafts. He ranks as the overall RB13 in PPR leagues despite already having gone through his bye week, and he has logged a total of 426 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. The 27-year-old has benefitted from an enormous volume share, as he ran the football 28 times in Week 6 and also caught one pass on two targets. Teammate Jonathon Brooks (core) could return from injured reserve next week, but even if he does, we would be surprised if the Panthers reduce Hubbard's workload significantly. While we may not expect him to consistently get 28 touches per game, 20+ seems like a fair range, keeping him in the high-end RB2 or low-end RB1 tier going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chuba Hubbard Continues Strong Season with Big Week 6
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard had another big game in his team's 25-14 Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, recording 28 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. While it wasn't Hubbard's most efficient game on the ground, he continues to absolutely dominate the backfield workload in Carolina. Across five games so far in 2026, the 27-year-old has recorded 89 carries for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Hubbard has also hauled in 12 catches for 85 yards and two scores. Carolina got second-year back Trevor Etienne back from Injured Reserve in Week 6, but Etienne logged just one carry against Philadelphia. With Carolina's offense humming, Hubbard remains a clear must-start running back for fantasy managers as long as he continues to see his current usage.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
