Panthers Expected to Split Backfield Work, Hubbard Seen as More Trusted Option
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Carolina Panthers plan to split carries between Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks, but Hubbard's durability and experience give him the edge as the primary ball-carrier. Brooks has struggled with injuries, missing the entire 2025 season, while Hubbard had a career year in 2024 but was slowed by a calf injury last season. Fantasy managers should treat both as boom-or-bust RB2 options, with Hubbard likely to see the majority of work if healthy.
Brooks' injury history is extensive—he tore his right ACL twice, with the second tear limiting him to three games as a rookie before costing him the entire 2025 season. His recovery timeline has made the Panthers cautious about his workload, even as they acknowledge his explosive potential. The team selected him in the second round of the 2024 draft, signaling long-term investment despite the setbacks.
Hubbard's 2024 breakout (1,195 yards, 10 touchdowns) established him as a reliable workhorse, but last season's calf injury opened the door for Rico Dowdle, who has since departed for Pittsburgh in free agency. With Dowdle gone, Hubbard enters 2026 as the proven option, though the team clearly intends to involve Brooks meaningfully in a near-even split.
Fantasy football managers face a genuine dilemma here, as the committee approach could frustrate those who draft either back expecting consistent production. The situation also reflects a broader NFL trend toward splitting carries to preserve player health, which may reduce individual statistical ceilings but