Carolina Panthers News

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard had the most touches and his highest snap share (59.4%) in a game since Week 8 in the team's Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Rams, totaling 17 carries for 83 yards while adding two receptions (two targets) for 41 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Dave Canales has found the right balance between Rico Dowdle and Hubbard, using Hubbard as the third-down back while leaning on Dowdle for early downs. "We've been using Chuba primarily as our third-down back, and then he gets series as we go," said Canales. The head coach added that, especially with how good Hubbard has looked in the past few weeks, they are "making sure that he's a weapon for us in different ways." Hubbard should continue to be a big factor for the Panthers down the stretch and is firmly back on fantasy radars. The 26-year-old projects as a viable flex option when Carolina comes out of their Week 14 bye to face the division-rival New Orleans Saints.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was outproduced by Chuba Hubbard in last week's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams, as Hubbard finished with 17 carries for 83 yards while also catching two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Dowdle had 18 rushing attempts for 58 yards and added two receptions for 21 yards. It was the first time the Panthers had two RBs each record at least 75 scrimmage yards in a game since Dec. 24 of 2022. "And for Rico, you know, giving him the lion's share of some of those first and second down, those early series and all that is a great way to just get him the ball," head coach Dave Canales said. With Hubbard getting his legs back under him after missing some time with injury, the Panthers appear to be reaching a more effective, balanced approach between the two RBs, with Dowdle becoming the early-down back, and Hubbard working more on passing downs.

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that he expects the Carolina Panthers to pick up quarterback Bryce Young's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but that there is uncertainty about Young's future in Carolina beyond his rookie contract. The number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Young has rebounded from a horrendous rookie season over the past two years, most notably leading Carolina to a 7-5 record in his starts this season. However, questions remain about the 24-year-old's true franchise-leading upside. Across 12 starts in 2025, Young has completed 63.4% of his pass attempts for 2,337 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He hasn't exactly had an amazing supporting cast around him in Carolina, but Young has also averaged an extremely underwhelming six yards per pass attempt across his 42 career NFL games. It appears as though the Panthers are committed to Young in the short term, but remain in wait-and-see mode as far as handing him a contract extension.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is coming off his best performance of the season in Week 13. Hubbard rushed for a season-high 83 yards in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. This was a great showing from Hubbard, who had been held to under 40 rushing yards in six straight games going into Week 13. The expectation is that Hubbard is going to regain some of the backfield duties going forward. Rico Dowdle will still be in the picture, but we could be looking at a closer 50/50 split after Hubbard's strong performance on Sunday. Fantasy managers won't be able to get anything out of Hubbard this weekend with the Panthers on a bye. He's rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues at the moment. At worst, Hubbard should offer flex value for the Week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Hubbard will be a flex candidate to consider out of the bye week against a Saints defense that has allowed 126.9 rushing yards per game in 2025.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the team expects to get Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn (concussion) back after their Week 14 bye, according to David Newton of ESPN. Horn suffered a concussion in Week 12 and did not suit up for a surprising Week 13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The 26-year-old defensive back will have an extra week to rest during the team's bye, though, and the team is hoping he'll be ready to return in Week 15 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Getting Horn back will be a massive boost to the Panthers' defense, as he's played at a Pro Bowl level in 2025 with 25 tackles (15 solo), a career-high five interceptions, and six pass breakups in 12 starts. The Panthers' defense/special teams unit will be a popular streaming option in Week 15 in the first week of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was really impressed with how running back Chuba Hubbard looked in Sunday's upset victory over the visiting Los Angeles Rams, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. "I just love the way Chuba went right back to work. He looked amazing," Canales said. Hubbard led the Panthers with 83 rushing yards (4.9 yards per carry) on one fewer rushing attempt (17) than Rico Dowdle, and he also caught both of his targets for 41 yards and a touchdown. The 26-year-old's 59% snap share was his highest number since back in Week 3, before he missed time due to injury and lost RB1 duties to Dowdle. It was the first time that Hubbard had over 100 scrimmage yards this year and the first time he scored since Week 8. Hubbard's TD came on a 35-yard screen pass in the first quarter. The Panthers will be on bye in Week 14, but it's possible Hubbard shares more of the backfield with Dowdle for a Week 15 divisional date with the Saints.

Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans caught all three of his targets for 20 yards and totaled 5.0 PPR points in Sunday's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina TE played on 53% of snaps in Week 13, his highest percentage since Week 6. In 13 games played this season, Evans has averaged 3.1 PPR points per game. After a bye, Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints for the second time in 2025 in Week 15. Over the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 19th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs. When the Panthers last faced New Orleans, Evans was a non-factor, failing to catch his only target. Although the matchup is favorable for TEs, none of the Carolina TEs should be rostered during the fantasy football playoffs. Evans has been targeted more than once in a game four times this year.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette logged another quiet performance in Carolina's Week 13 surprising triumph over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina WR caught one of his two targets for one yard. This is the second time in the last four weeks that Legette finished a game with fewer than 10 yards. The Panthers will be up against New Orleans for the second time this season in Week 15 after a bye. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to WRs. Legette registered no fantasy points vs. the Saints in Week 10 and was targeted only once. The second-year wide receiver has finished with less than 5.0 PPR points over four of the last six weeks. It is apparent that Legette has no statistical floor, and he should not be rostered heading into the fantasy football playoffs.

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan wasn't very busy in Week 13 but still made a notable impact in the Panthers' stunning 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The rookie WR was targeted just twice, his lowest target count of the season. However, McMillan caught a 43-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-clinching score. McMillan has now caught TD passes in three consecutive games, and he finished Week 13 with 11.3 PPR points. In Week 15, after a bye, Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints in a Week 10 rematch. In the first meeting against the Saints, McMillan finished with 60 yards on five receptions. New Orleans ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs in the four weeks leading up to Week 13. Although he did not see much volume in Week 13, McMillan has a favorable matchup in Week 15, where he is likely to see more targets. Due to his solid fantasy floor this season, McMillan is worth considering as a WR3 or flex start.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushed for only 58 yards on 18 carries during Week 13's 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Carolina RB also added 21 receiving yards on two receptions, totaling 9.9 PPR points. It was the first time since Weeks 7-8 that Dowdle ended back-to-back games with less than 12 PPR points. For the first time since being named the starting RB in Week 9, Dowdle was outplayed by Chuba Hubbard, who registered 20.4 PPR points on 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. The workload between the two RBs was split, and Hubbard took the most snaps (59%). In Week 15, Dowdle and the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this season after a bye. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 13, the Saints ranked 13th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. During the Panthers' prior game against New Orleans in Week 10, Dowdle finished with 63 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD. With the possibility of Dowdle now being in a timeshare with Hubbard, he cannot be regarded as a must-start player regardless of matchup anymore. But he should still be a good start against the Saints, because the surprising Panthers may totally control the flow of the matchup. If Carolina rolls to a big win, you should see Dowdle get into the end zone at least once.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker was a bright spot for the team in their rain-soaked 31-28 win against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, compiling a 4/74/1 line on six targets. The second-year pro was a key contributor in the upset victory, posting team-highs across the board, while snagging his first touchdown of the campaign. Since returning from a quad injury seven games ago, Coker has racked up 18 receptions and 224 yards (25 targets). The numbers are modest at best, although he's just 63 receiving yards behind teammate Xavier Legette, who is only ten catches ahead of him despite making four more appearances. Quarterback Bryce Young has been up and down, but he looked good on Sunday in a tough matchup with less-than-ideal conditions, and Coker has displayed explosiveness getting off the line. He's firmly on the fantasy radar.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard hasn't given fantasy managers much value outside of the first few weeks of the season. That changed this weekend as Hubbard posted a strong performance against the Los Angeles Rams. Hubbard took a screen pass for a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The 26-year-old continued having success throughout the game as tied his season-high with 17 rushing attempts. Hubbard rushed for a season-high 83 yards on those 17 attempts, while hauling in two receptions for 41 yards and one score in the win. This was a nice performance from Hubbard, but he continues to split up the backfield duties with Rico Dowdle who saw 18 carries on Sunday. We'll see where Hubbard is placed on the depth chart after the team comes out of their bye week in Week 15.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young led his team to a big upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, completing 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns to go with five carries for 23 yards. Young bounced back after a disappointing game last Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, consistently showing up in the biggest moments of the game. His first touchdown came on a swing pass to Chuba Hubbard on third down that Hubbard turned into a 35-yard score, while both of his other touchdowns came on pivotal fourth downs on beautiful throws. The Panthers leaned into the run more with 35 total running back carries after just nine last week in San Francisco to help put Young in more favorable situations. The third-year signal caller hasn't been consistent game to game, but he's delivered in some big spots and helped lead the Panthers to a massive upset win over arguably the best team in football in the Rams. Young and the Panthers will ride this momentum into their Week 14 bye before three big divisional games in the final four weeks.

In Week 12, Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble failed to catch his only target and did not score a single fantasy point for the fourth time in the last five games. Tremble was mainly utilized as a blocker in this game and played on 48% of snaps. In Week 13, Carolina will face the Los Angeles Rams, who rank 19th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position. Although this is a favorable matchup for TEs, Tremble is not worthy of any fantasy consideration, even in TE-premium formats. Tremble has only been targeted at least twice in only three games this year.

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was a complete afterthought in the Panthers' passing game in Week 12. The Carolina TE caught his only target, which resulted in six yards. For the first time since Week 8, Sanders played the most snaps of all Panthers TEs at 57%. In nine games played this year, Sanders has averaged 4.7 PPR Points Per Game. Week 13 brings a decent matchup for Sanders against the Los Angeles Rams, who rank 19th in the league in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs. However, Sanders will not be able to take advantage of the draw. In 25 games played in two seasons in his NFL career, Sanders has caught one single TD pass, a prime stat that signifies why he is not on the fantasy radar for Week 13.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette finished Week 12 with 22 yards on three receptions and totaled 5.2 PPR points. This marked the fourth time in the last five games that Legette registered fewer than 10 PPR points. Legette has a middling matchup this week as the Panthers will take on the Rams. Los Angeles ranks 16th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs. Legette's volume has been inconsistent this season, as he has been targeted 5+ times in only three games since Week 5. Considering his mediocre fantasy output and variable volume, fantasy players should not consider Legette for Week 13.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker had three receptions for 32 yards and finished with 6.2 PPR points in Week 12. Carolina will face the LA Rams in Week 13. They rank 16th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position this season. Despite drawing a middling matchup for his position, Coker has not delivered enough production to be on fantasy rosters right now. He has yet to be targeted more than four times in a single game this season. Through six games played, Coker has not caught a single TD pass or reached 55 receiving yards. Fantasy players won't be considering him for lineups this late in their regular season.

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan posted underwhelming numbers in Week 12 against the 49ers. The rookie WR had two receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown that salvaged his fantasy day. It was only the third time this year that McMillan totaled less than 40 yards in a single game. The Panthers take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The Rams' defense held Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka to three catches for 32 yards last week and has only given up three TDs to WRs since Week 5. McMillan has displayed a respectable statistical floor throughout the season, so he should remain in lineups for Week 13. Bryce Young may be able to elevate McMillan's fantasy totals in catch-up mode. Carolina's top WR has been targeted by Young at least six times in the last five games.

In Week 12, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard played on 35% of the offensive snaps, registering 16 yards on three carries. He caught four passes for 27 yards. After returning from a calf injury in Week 7, Hubbard has totaled 133 rushing yards while averaging 5.5 PPR Points Per Game. As the second RB for Carolina, Hubbard should only be in fantasy rosters as a handcuff for Rico Dowdle. He will become fantasy-relevant if Dowdle misses any time. If you roster Hubbard and don't have Dowdle, you can cut the Panthers' backup RB.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle totaled 38 rushing yards on six carries and 36 receiving yards on four receptions last week against the 49ers. Dowdle finished the game with 11.4 PPR points, which was his lowest since being named the starting RB for Carolina in Week 9. The Panthers will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The Rams rank third in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Los Angeles' defense has allowed only two rushing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the least in the NFL. Although this is a bad matchup, Dowdle should not be reserved. Don't expect a high statistical ceiling, though. The Panthers' RB has a solid fantasy floor, averaging 17.5 PPR points over the last four weeks.