Carolina Panthers News

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Xavier Legette • WR • Panthers

Xavier Legette Catches Two Passes for 39 Yards in Week 15

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette was once again not very busy in the Panthers' Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Carolina WR caught two of his three targets for 39 yards and finished with 5.9 PPR points. Although this is the most PPR points Legette registered since Week 11, he has been mostly irrelevant in fantasy football through the season. In 14 games played, Legette has only two double-digit PPR finishes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Tampa Bay ranked 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to the WR position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even with a middling matchup, Legette's volume has been too inconsistent to warrant a roster spot during the fantasy playoffs.

Yesterday

Tetairoa McMillan • WR • Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan Delivers Season-Low Performance in Week 15

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan logged his worst performance of the year in the Panthers' loss to the Saints in Week 15. The first-round rookie caught two passes for 25 yards, totaling 4.5 PPR points in the first round of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. This was the first time this year that McMillan posted less than 5.0 PPR points, and it was also the first time he had not scored a touchdown since Week 10. The Carolina Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 15, Tampa Bay ranked 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs. McMillan has been targeted less than five times in each of his last two games, but he has a decent matchup for Week 16. He has averaged 7.2 targets per game this season. McMillan's possible volume still makes him startable as a WR3 or flex option for Week 16. He could see more targets in the major NFC South showdown against the Buccaneers.

Yesterday

Rico Dowdle • RB • Panthers

Rico Dowdle Scores Rushing Touchdown and 54 Scrimmage Yards in Week 15

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushed for 49 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown in Carolina's Week 15 loss to New Orleans on Sunday. He added five receiving yards on one reception and totaled 12.4 PPR points. Dowdle outperformed Chuba Hubbard, who registered 38 scrimmage yards and 4.8 PPR points. Despite the workload being mostly split between the two RBs, Dowdle logged the most snaps (60%). In Week 16, the Panthers will face their NFC South rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay ranked 16th in fantasy points per game allowed to the RB position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even though Dowdle has a middling matchup this week, he is still worth starting as an RB2 or flex option based on his volume. In his last five games, he has fewer than 16 carries once, and he averaged 15.4 carries per game.

Yesterday

Bryce Young • QB • Panthers

Bryce Young Totals 163 Yards and a Touchdown in Week 15

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 163 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 loss to the Saints in Week 15 on Sunday. The Carolina QB also added a season-high 49 rushing yards on seven carries, totaling 15.4 Fantasy points. In 13 games played this season, Young has averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game. He has also registered more than 15 fantasy points in three of his last four starts. In Week 16, the Panthers will go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the four weeks leading up to Week 15, the Buccaneers ranked last in the league in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs. Tampa Bay's pass defense also surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns against opposing QBs during that span (eight). Although his fantasy totals for the year have been mediocre, this matchup makes Young a more favorable starter in superflex leagues for Week 16. Those who are desperate in one-QB leagues can also consider streaming Young.

Yesterday

Jalen Coker • WR • Panthers

Jalen Coker Worth Waiver Consideration After Second Straight Strong Game

Much like last year, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is starting to make some noise late in the season. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent scored for the second straight game in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, catching all four of his targets for 60 yards to lead the Panthers in receiving. Before the Week 14 bye, Coker caught four of a season-high six targets for a season-high 74 yards and his first touchdown of the year. It wasn't all great on Sunday against New Orleans, though, as he also lost a fumble. Overall, though, it was a positive day for Coker, who had two catches of 20-plus yards for the first time this year. The Holy Cross alum could take over WR2 duties from Xavier Legette for the final three weeks of the season. He has gone over 50 receiving yards in three of the last four games. Coker is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Ja'Tavion Sanders • TE • Panthers

Ja'Tavion Sanders Should Remain off the Fantasy Radar for Week 15

Ja'Tavion Sanders did not see a single target in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Sanders was mainly utilized as a blocker and played on 48% of the snaps. In 10 games played this year, Sanders has averaged 4.3 PPR Points Per Game. New Orleans ranks 12th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position. Notably, Sanders had his second-best performance of the season against the Saints in Week 10, when he totaled 8.2 PPR points with five receptions on 32 receiving yards. Still, Sanders does not see enough consistent volume to warrant being rostered during the fantasy playoffs. Sanders has been targeted 5+ times in a game only twice this season, and he has no receiving touchdowns.

3 days ago

Xavier Legette • WR • Panthers

Xavier Legette is not Worth Consideration for Fantasy Playoff Lineups In Week 15

Xavier Legette caught only one pass for a single yard in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams before the Week 14 bye. He finished with 1.1 PPR points, marking the seventh game this year in which he scored under five points. Legette has a rather unfavorable matchup in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints rank 11th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs this season. Legette's volume has been inconsistent, with only three games since Week 5 where he had 5+ targets. Considering his underwhelming fantasy output and varying volume, Legette should not be considered for the fantasy playoffs.

3 days ago

Jalen Coker • WR • Panthers

Jalen Coker is Unlikely to Follow Up with Another Great Performance In Week 15

Jalen Coker came through with his best performance of the year in Week 13 against the Rams before going on bye. The Carolina WR registered 74 yards on four receptions with one touchdown. Coker finished the game with 17.4 PPR points, his highest total of the year. It was the second time in three weeks that he scored 11 or more PPR points. The Panthers will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. The Saints rank 11th in Fantasy Points Per game allowed to WRs this season. In Week 10, Coker finished with 5.1 PPR points on three receptions for 21 yards. Coker has not seen enough consistent volume to warrant a roster spot as the fantasy playoffs open. The WR has only been targeted more than four times in a game once this year. If your team advanced to the fantasy playoffs, you likely did not clinch a berth with Coker on the team.

3 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan • WR • Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan is Worth Starting as a WR3 or Flex Option for Week 15

Tetairoa McMillan was targeted only twice, but still made a notable impact in the Panthers' 31-28 surprise victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. The rookie WR caught one pass, but it was for a 43-yard touchdown, boosting him to a total of 11.3 PPR points. This game was also McMillan's third in a row with a receiving touchdown. After going on bye in Week 14, the Panthers will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. New Orleans ranks 11th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position. In Week 10 against the Saints, McMillan had five receptions for 60 yards, totaling 11.0 PPR points. McMillan has seen enough volume as Carolina's leading receiver to usually maintain a solid fantasy floor. He should be started as a WR3 or flex start for Week 15.

3 days ago

Chuba Hubbard • RB • Panthers

Chuba Hubbard has Flex Appeal for Week 15

Chuba Hubbard delivered his best performance of the season in Week 13 against the Rams before going on bye. In that game, Hubbard totaled 83 rushing yards on 17 carries and 41 receiving yards on two receptions. The Carolina RB finished the game with 20.4 PPR points, marking the first time this year he registered over 20 PPR points. Hubbard and Rico Dowdle nearly split the workload in this game, with Hubbard seeing more of the snaps (59%) for the first time since Dowdle was named the starting RB in Week 9. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed that Hubbard would be the preferred back for third-down situations. Carolina faces the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. New Orleans ranks 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs this season. In Week 10 against New Orleans, Hubbard finished with only 14 rushing yards on three carries and posted 2.5 PPR points. With a decent matchup and increased volume, Hubbard has fantasy appeal as a flex option in deeper leagues.

3 days ago

Rico Dowdle • RB • Panthers

Rico Dowdle is Likely to Maintain A Decent Statistical Floor for Week 15

In Week 13, Rico Dowdle totaled 58 rushing yards on 18 carries and 21 receiving yards on two receptions against the Rams. Dowdle finished the game with 9.9 PPR points, which was his lowest since being named the starting RB for Carolina in Week 9. Chuba Hubbard also outperformed Dowdle in that game, registering 20.4 PPR points on 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. Hubbard also took the most snaps (59%) between the RBs. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed that Dowdle would be the featured back on early downs and at the goal line. This week, the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this season. Against the RB position, the Saints rank 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed. In Week 10 against the Saints, Dowdle had 53 rushing yards on 18 carries with one touchdown. With a continued shared workload, he is likely to remain an RB2 starter with a decent statistical fantasy floor. Over the last four weeks before the bye, Dowdle averaged 12.9 PPR points per game.

3 days ago

Bryce Young • QB • Panthers

Bryce Young is Untrustworthy for Fantasy Lineups in Week 15

Bryce Young led the Panthers to a shocking 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 before the bye. In that game, Young logged 22.5 fantasy points with three passing touchdowns. He also completed 15-of-20 attempts for 206 passing yards. Young is one of the more inconsistent QBs in the league this season. Through his last three games, he registered over 20 fantasy points twice. In his previous five starts, he finished with less than 11 fantasy points three times. Carolina will face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this year in Week 15. New Orleans ranks 11th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to QBs this season. In Week 10 against the Saints, Young finished with 124 passing yards and 2.6 fantasy points, his lowest total in a single game this season. Due to his inconsistency throughout the year and his performance vs. the Saints in the last matchup, Young cannot be trusted to help teams in the opening round of the fantasy football playoffs.

3 days ago

Chuba Hubbard • RB • Panthers

Chuba Hubbard Re-Establishing Himself in Carolina?

After starting the season as his team's RB1, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard lost his job in the middle of the 2025 season to the emergent Rico Dowdle. Across a four-game stretch from Week 9 through Week 12, Hubbard failed to earn more than seven touches in any game. However, in Carolina's final game before its Week 14 bye, Hubbard went off for 124 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches against the Los Angeles Rams. While Dowdle still earned more touches against Los Angeles (20), Hubbard out-gained him by nearly 50 yards. Coming out of its bye, Carolina may continue to lessen the workload discrepancy between its two main backs. Even in a reduced role, Hubbard has still been productive this season, recording 627 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns across 11 games. Hubbard has flex appeal in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints and could continue trending upwards over the final stretch of the season.

4 days ago

Bryce Young • QB • Panthers

Bryce Young Looking to Stack Positive Performances

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had his most efficient game of the season before the bye against the Los Angeles Rams. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns while adding five carries for 23 yards as a runner in the upset win. Young will be looking to put together a consistent stretch of quality games, something he has struggled with this season and throughout his career. Notably, in the week after his career-high 448 passing yards in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, he followed it up with two interceptions and only 169 passing yards against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick still sits as a low-end QB2 most weeks, and he has a tough matchup in Week 15 against a New Orleans Saints defense that hasn't allowed a 200-yard passer in four straight games.

7 days ago

Jalen Coker • WR • Panthers

Jalen Coker Gaining More Trust in Carolina?

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker missed the first six weeks of the season due to an injury. Once he returned, Coker was quiet on the field during his first few games. The 24-year-old has picked up his play lately, which could make him an intriguing waiver-wire option coming out of Carolina's Week 14 bye week. Over the last three games, Coker has recorded 11 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown. Coker appears to be gaining more trust after seeing a season-high six targets in the Week 13 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams. He has put himself on the fantasy radar and could be worth snagging in deep leagues ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the division-rival New Orleans Saints.

7 days ago

Jonathon Brooks • RB • Panthers

Jonathon Brooks Says he Feels 100% After Second ACL Tear

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.

Dec 8

Chuba Hubbard • RB • Panthers

Chuba Hubbard Could See Expanded Role Coming Out of Week 14 Bye

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard opened the season as his team's RB1. However, he missed time due to injury in early October, and his role was usurped by Panthers back Rico Dowdle, who exploded with a pair of 200-plus scrimmage-yard outings. Across a four-game stretch from Week 9 to Week 12, Hubbard failed to record more than seven touches in a contest. However, in Carolina's final game before its Week 14 bye, Hubbard broke out for 124 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches against the Los Angeles Rams. Hubbard was still out-touched by Dowdle (20 touches), but he out-snapped Dowdle for the first time since Week 8. If Carolina plans to work with a more even split between their two backs coming out of the bye, Hubbard could re-emerge as a flex option for fantasy managers. In leagues where he may have been dropped, Hubbard is a must-add player heading into his Week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Dec 8

Chuba Hubbard • RB • Panthers

Panthers View Chuba Hubbard as Primary Third-Down Back

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.

Dec 3

Rico Dowdle • RB • Panthers

Rico Dowdle Settling in as Early-Down Back in Carolina

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.

Dec 3

Bryce Young • QB • Panthers

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option

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.

Dec 3

Carolina Panthers News

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