Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders set a career-high in Week 9 with 87 receiving yards on four receptions against the New Orleans Saints. Sanders again received the bulk of offensive snaps as veteran tight end Tommy Tremble (back) was inactive, missing his third game in the last four weeks. In Week 8, the one game Tremble was active for in October, Sanders played just 36% of the snaps and recorded one reception for seven yards. While the rookie certainly offers waiver wire value, there remains concern that the coaching staff has preferred Tremble when healthy. Regardless, Sanders could have an opportunity further to cement himself against a weak Giants defense in Germany.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard rushed for two touchdownsincluding a game-winning 16-yard scamperin Carolina's Week 9 victory over the New Orleans Saints. It was Hubbard's first game this season scoring multiple touchdowns. He added 72 yards and two receptions to go along with the scores. After a disappointing Week 8 outing at Denver, this performance was a strong response and shows why he remains a valuable weekly flex option. Heading to Germany to face the New York Giants in Week 10, rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is expected to make his NFL debut and could take valuable touches away from Hubbard. Despite Brook's potential return, Hubbard remains a flex option against the Giants next week.

In his second consecutive start, Bryce Young led the Carolina Panthers to a 23-22 divisional win over the New Orleans Saints. It was Carolina's second win of the season. Young finished the day 16-for-26 with 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The interception came from a drop by wide receiver Xavier Legette. En route to the victory, Young kickstarted Carolina's game-winning drive with a 26-yard dart over the middle to Legette on 3rd and 10. The second-year quarterback looks more comfortable in head coach Dave Canales's system and has showcased more confident decision-making. Despite Carolina not naming a starting quarterback for Week 10, Young played well enough to get the starting nod in Week 10 as the Panthers head to Germany to face a reeling Giants squad.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) is also expected to make his Panthers debut next week, while receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) should also return, barring a last-minute trade ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Brooks put in three full practices this week before being ruled out for Week 9 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. The first RB off the board in April's draft will debut next weekend, though, and he will eventually take away valuable backfield touches from current RB1 Chuba Hubbard. Brooks is recovered from a torn ACL that he suffered in college at Texas. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues now and could have a substantial role by season's end.

Carolina Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble (back) and Feliepe Franks (concussion) have both been officially ruled out for the Week 9 divisional clash on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Tremble was able to practice in full on Friday but still picked up a questionable tag on the final injury report. The 24-year-old missed Weeks 6 and 7 with a back injury but returned in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos to catch two of his three targets for 13 yards. Apparently his back issue worsened after last Sunday's game, causing him to miss another contest. With both Tremble and Franks out this weekend, it will open the door for rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders to operate as the team's clear pass-catching TE. At best, the 21-year-old fourth-rounder will be a deep-league TE2 streaming option. Sanders has 20 receptions for 158 yards and no scores in his first eight NFL games.