RADIO
Darren Waller Turning Heads After 10-Target Performance
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller has been inconsistent week over week this season, but his performance this past Sunday against the Denver Broncos could be enough to justify adding him off waivers in most leagues. Waller exploded for eight catches on 10 targets Sunday, adding 90 yards and one touchdown along the way. Carolina found itself playing behind and relying on passing attempts -- often to Waller and Tetairoa McMillan -- to keep them in the game. The veteran's inconsistency this year does prevent him from having immediate TE1 status in fantasy football, but he's absolutely trending in the right direction. Plus, Carolina has tough matchups coming up against the Saints, Ravens, Buccaneers, and Vikings, creating some potential negative game script environments in which the Panthers could look to throw the ball early and often. Managers should consider adding Waller off waivers, especially in deeper leagues or scenarios where managers may need a quick bye week fill-in.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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
Panthers Opening 21-Day Practice Window for Xavier Legette
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team will open up the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Xavier Legette (knee) this week, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Legette has been out since Week 2 with a knee injury, but if he makes enough progress in his return to practice this week, he could be an option to return this Sunday on the road against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. In his first two games of the 2026 season before getting hurt, the 25-year-old former first-rounder had two catches on six targets for 64 yards, with all of his production coming in the Week 2 blowout win over the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Even with his potential return on the horizon, fantasy managers in most leagues should not be very excited to add the former South Carolina product to their rosters as the Panthers' No. 3 wideout behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker when he returns. Legette has been a first-round bust to this point in his career, posting an 84-860-7 line on 148 targets in his first two years in the NFL with Carolina.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
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
Tetairoa McMillan Continues Consistent Play on Sunday
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan continued to find success during Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The 23-year-old hauled in four of his six targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in the loss. This was the first time that McMillan was able to find the end zone since the Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions. He has now finished with 50 receiving yards or more in four of his last five games. The hope is that his success will continue against the shaky New Orleans Saints pass defense in Week 10. McMillan has been the most consistent receiver for this team, so he figures to continue being significantly involved.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darren Waller has Breakout Performance in Week 9
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller was a major factor in the offense during Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Denver Broncos. Heading into this game, Waller had two receptions for 61 yards over his last three games. The 34-year-old was able to have much more success on Sunday. He hauled in eight of his 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Both the receptions and yardage were season highs for Waller. It was odd to see Waller get double-digit targets after seeing a combined six over his previous three games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect this kind of success to continue, but he'll hopefully remain a consistent option against the New Orleans Saints next week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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
Jalen Coker Has Another Disappointing Performance on Sunday Afternoon
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker caught four of his five targets for 29 receiving yards during Sunday's Week 9 loss against the Denver Broncos. He also rushed for a loss of three yards. The 25-year-old had a great start to the season, but he has cooled off significantly. Over his last three games, he has just seven catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. He has now scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in just three of his seven games so far. Bryce Young has clearly preferred throwing to Tetairoa McMillan lately, and there hasn't been as much volume available for Coker. That could change at a moment's notice, but for now, managers should temper their expectations. Coker is a low-floor WR3/flex heading into Week 10 at New Orleans.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darren Waller Not Seeing Enough Opportunity to Start in Week 9
Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller has had flashes of fantasy relevance over the past two years but hasn't produced consistently. In 2026, the 34-year-old has seen 25 targets and caught 15 for 209 yards and three TDs. Over the past three weeks, he has seen only six targets, whereas in prior weeks he received six, eight, and three. Waller's path to fantasy significance would likely have to come through touchdowns, which the Panthers' Week 9 opponent, the Denver Broncos, have allowed five this season to opposing tight ends. While Waller has a "6-foot-6" frame and a propensity for the end zone, it is not worth starting him this week based on the slim chance he might score. Waller is a sit in all fantasy leagues this week, as RotoBaller's TE28.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tommy Tremble Is Not On Track to Make a Fantasy Impact in Week 9
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble has not been a reliable fantasy asset in the 2026 season, producing only one fantasy-relevant game in Week 6, in which he scored two touchdowns. Tremble has 21 targets this season, a 7.7% target share, and there has been no indication of increased involvement. The Panthers' passing game runs through wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, and tight end Darren Waller also gets his fair share of targets. If it's any consolation for Tremble this week, their Week 9 opponent, the Denver Broncos, have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends (16.8). However, fantasy managers can't count on Tremble to produce, so he isn't worth a start in any league format and is ranked TE37 in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Source: Fantasy Points Data
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
Jalen Coker Looks to Take Advantage of Target Opportunity as a WR2
Carolina Panthers third-year wide receiver and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker looked like a major breakout candidate at the start of the season, posting 204 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 16 catches in his first two games. Since then, he hasn't been nearly as productive and now sits at WR24 for the season. Coker has 22 targets over the last three games, but only nine catches and one touchdown. The Panthers offense as a whole has struggled recently, and it may be difficult to get back on track against the strong pass/rush defense of their Week 9 opponent, the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are tied for second in receiving touchdowns allowed to WRs at only four over eight games, and allow a meager 27.6 fantasy points (eighth-least) per game to the position. Coker's 46.2% slot rate could bode well for him, giving him a chance to avoid major coverage from Denver's All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain, who plays the perimeter most of the time. Coker can be slotted in as a low-end WR2 and ranks WR21 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 9.
Source: Rotoballer
Source: Rotoballer
Tetairoa McMillan Is a Middling WR2 Start in Week 9 vs. the Broncos
Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is off to an underwhelming start this season, coming in at WR17 in points per game and with a preseason ADP of WR13. The majority of his production came in Weeks 2 and 4, when he totaled 293 yards and two touchdowns in those matchups, accounting for 62% of his total 2026 fantasy production in those two weeks. While he hasn't produced points recently and the Panthers' passing offense has struggled, McMillan still maintains a significant role in the passing game. Compared to all receivers' targets over their last three weeks, he comes in tied for 12th with 26 targets. The opportunity has been there, but strong results might not come in Week 9 when the Panthers face a Denver Broncos defense and secondary that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. McMillan has demonstrated that he can deliver game-wrecking numbers; however, Week 9 expectations should be tempered. He still slots in as a middling WR2 and is RotoBaller's WR19 in the latest updated ranking for Week 9.
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Source: Fantasy Points Data
Bryce Young Good to Go vs. the Broncos, a Dicey QB2 Play in Week 9
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) has been dealing with an ankle injury but was a full participant throughout the week and is all systems go for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Young has scored the 14th-most fantasy points per game (18.9) and has ranked as a top-12 QB four times in his seven 2026 games. He is off to the hottest start of any season in his career so far, throwing for 1921 yards and 13 TDs, but his run of poor fantasy performances over his past two games may continue through Week 9. The Panthers' passing game has struggled the past two weeks, with Young throwing for only 163 and 209 yards and one touchdown each week, plus three total interceptions. The offensive line has given up the seventh-highest pressure rate in the league (43.5%), which has shown up in their recent production. Combine the line struggles with the fact that their Week 9 opponent, the Broncos, have 23 sacks over their last eight games, and Young could struggle to throw on Sunday. The Panthers' pass offense may continue to flounder in this matchup, making Young Rotoballer's QB19 and a lower-tier QB2 in Week 9.
Source: Joe Person of The Athletic
Source: Joe Person of The Athletic
Tetairoa McMillan Remains a Must-Start Wide Receiver
Across seven games in 2026, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has recorded 42 catches for 569 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets. The 23-year-old has had a strangely difficult time getting in the end zone, as he's been held without a touchdown in every game other than his massive two-score outing against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. McMillan's production has also slowed down lately, as he's failed to reach 60 receiving yards in back-to-back games. However, McMillan remains a high-volume pass-catcher, as he saw 11 targets in Carolina's Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite his recent struggles, McMillan remains a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
