Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has a favorable matchup this Sunday when the team takes on the Chicago Bears in Week 5. Hubbard is coming off two stellar performances in which he recorded 100-yard games on the ground and caught at least four passes while scoring a touchdown. It's back-to-back superb efforts for the fourth-year RB, who has his arrow pointing up with quarterback Andy Dalton remaining under center. The former fourth-round pick will eventually see less work out of the backfield with the looming activation of rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee). However, he's a locked-in RB2 with upside while he has a stranglehold on the Panthers' lead-back duties. Chicago's defense hasn't allowed many points this season, but they're letting up 4.5 yards per carry, and opposing offenses have scored five times on the ground against them -- the sixth-most in the league. Hubbard is RotoBaller's PPR RB11 in this week's rankings.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton will have low-end streaming appeal in Week 5 when the team takes to the road to face the Chicago Bears. It's been two weeks since the 36-year-old took over for Bryce Young as the Panthers' signal-caller, and the transition has paid off thus far for the team's offensive outlook. Dalton has racked up 539 yards and five touchdowns over that time frame while completing 65.4% of his passes (51-of-78). He and Carolina's skill players will have a more challenging task Sunday against a Bears defense, allowing the eighth-fewest points per game in the league through the season's first month (18.8). Still, the former second-round pick is performing well and has the Panthers offense looking far better off than the first two weeks. This will be his most difficult matchup to date, but Dalton has earned weekly lineup consideration in multi-quarterback formats and a longer look than usual, considering the start of bye weeks. He's RotoBaller's QB19 this week.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (illness) missed some practice time this week while being under the weather, but he was removed from the final Week 5 injury report on Friday and will suit up on Sunday at Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old was able to practice in full on Friday after missing the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Especially against a stout defense on the road, fantasy managers should have better flex options at the RB position than Sanders in Week 5. Through the first four weeks as the backup to starter Chuba Hubbard, Sanders has 25 carries for 91 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and has found the end zone once, adding eight catches for 32 yards. His fantasy stock is going to plummet even further once rookie RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) comes off the Non-Football Injury list soon to make his NFL debut.

For the second straight day, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders wasn't seen at practice on Thursday. Sanders wasn't included on the first injury report of the week on Wednesday, so it's unclear why he's not out on the field with the rest of his teammates. The 27-year-old lost the starting gig to Chuba Hubbard in his first year in Carolina in 2023, when he averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry on a career-low 129 rushing attempts. He has been the No. 2 behind Hubbard through four weeks this season, too, averaging a paltry 3.6 yards per carry on 25 rushing attempts, gaining 91 yards and scoring once on the ground. He's added eight catches for 32 yards. Carolina's offense has looked much better after they benched quarterback Bryce Young, but Sanders is still a low-upside RB4/flex for fantasy managers as the No. 2 behind Hubbard.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is still in the final stages of his return from an ACL injury and will not have his 21-day practice window opened this week, per Sheena Quick. It was initially anticipated that Brooks could return to the team in Week 5 for his NFL debut. However, he evidently still has "a couple of hurdles to clear." He'll now have to wait at least one more week. The Panthers may be playing it slow with their rookie second-round pick, heeding more of a cautious approach with the 21-year-old coming off a severe knee injury. Additionally, the breakout of Chuba Hubbard over the last two weeks could play a part in this, too. With Brooks still sidelined, Hubbard will continue to see the majority of backfield touches, with Miles Sanders mixing in when he needs a breather. The former will look to continue to build on his back-to-back standout performances in Week 5 when the team visits Soldier Field and the Chicago Bears. Hubbard will be an RB2 with upside, while Sanders presents as just his handcuff for the contest.