Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Carolina Panthers placed lead running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Saturday, meaning that Raheem Blackshear will now be elevated to a prominent role in Carolina's backfield for the final two weeks of the season. The 26-year-old is currently the only healthy RB on the Panthers' roster, but the team will surely elevate Mike Boone from the practice squad for the Week 17 contest on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers that had been riding Hubbard's excellent season could now pivot to Blackshear, although he shouldn't be viewed as much more than a last-minute RB3/flex pivot in a matchup against a Tampa defense that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in the last five weeks. Blackshear's role will grow for sure, but he could also be splitting valuable touches with Boone.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) has been placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move will effectively end Hubbard's season with two weeks remaining on the schedule. Hubbard enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, running with the opportunity to lead Carolina's backfield. He finishes the year with 1,195 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Not only did he take over the backfield from Miles Sanders, but he also allowed the Panthers to be patient with the debut of Jonathon Brooks, who recovered from a torn ACL only to re-injure himself in his third NFL game. Hubbard, who ranks 12th among running backs in fantasy points (PPR), played well enough to earn a four-year contract extension during the middle of the season, signifying that the Panthers want him to be a centerpiece of their offense long-term. He should remain the Panthers' primary running back when he returns healthy in 2025, ranking as a high-end RB2 option in fantasy football. Meanwhile, for the final two games of the 2024 season, the Panthers will likely rely on some combination of Raheem Blackshear, Velus Jones Jr., and Mike Boone out of the backfield. There's also a slight chance that Sanders could return from IR for next week's season finale. Without a clear backfield alignment, it's risky to start any Panthers running back in fantasy football for Weeks 17 and 18.

Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) was added to the Week 17 injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited session. Thielen was again limited in Friday's practice but was removed from the final injury report and will play on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if rookie Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) returns to the field, Thielen should continue to be quarterback Bryce Young's top target in the passing game. The Buccaneers defense has been a top-10 fantasy matchup for receivers in 2024, allowing 2,383 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns in 15 games. The 34-year-old is no longer in his prime like he was in Minnesota, but he's developed a strong chemistry with Young the last two years and caught his third touchdown of the year in the Week 16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Thielen has a solid floor as a WR3/flex in Week 17 in fantasy lineups.

The Tennessee Titans will add kicker Matthew Wright from their practice squad to their active 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. Regular placekicker Nick Folk (abdomen) has been ruled out yet again, so the Titans will go with Wright after cutting Brayden Narveson earlier this week. While Wright, 28, will have a good matchup against the terrible Jaguars defense in his debut with the Titans, he still won't be a particularly intriguing streaming option for fantasy managers that are playing for championships this weekend. In three games with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, Wright has missed only one of his 12 field-goal attempts while making all five of his extra-point opportunities. Fantasy managers should be able to start more reliable kicking options in Week 17.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hubbard has managed limited practices on Thursday and Friday, which is an encouraging sign of his availability for Week 17. Hubbard has had a stellar 2024 campaign, ranking as the RB11 on the season. He has 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Combined with 171 yards and one touchdown through the air. Fantasy managers can confidently start Hubbard this week, as the Buccaneers defense is nothing to write home about. In addition to the matchup, Hubbard has earned a 77.3% snap share on the season and is earning most of the opportunities out of the backfield of late. Hubbard is a borderline RB1 and comes in as RotoBaller's RB12 in the latest rankings for fantasy championship week.