Jonathon Brooks ($5,000) has been officially designated to return from the IR after missing the Panthers’ first six games of the season, as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered last November. The rookie’s practice window has been opened with this move, meaning Carolina has 21 days to activate him to their 53-man roster.
Brooks was drafted in the second-round by the Panthers and was the first back off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, after he produced 1,425 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns in only 11 games in his final season with Texas.
Brooks has all the makings of an elite workhorse back and, considering the high pick the Panthers used on him, they clearly view Brooks as their running back of the future.
While he will likely be slowly eased in when he returns, yet Brooks’ presence is undoubtedly going to hurt Chuba Hubbard’s ($6,500) fantasy value.
Hubbard is fantasy football’s No. 4 running back this season, thanks primarily to a large workload. Heading into Week 7, the veteran ranks 10th in carries per game (14.3) and 12th in snap share (65.6%) among running backs.
While Hubbard’s workload may remain strong in Brooks’ first few games, it is safe to expect Hubbard’s touches to decrease each week as Brooks’ role grows. The rookie should eventually dwarf Hubbard and become the Panthers’ top back towards the end of the season, with Hubbard likely handling a workload close to what we have seen from Miles Sanders ($4,500) thus far. Playing as the clear No. 2 option in this Carolina backfield behind Hubbard, Sanders is averaging five carries per game and he has logged 35.3% of the snaps this season.
While it is unclear when Brooks will be ready to make his debut, his presence is looming and this is a great time to sell high on Hubbard in your fantasy leagues, with the back recording at least 15 FPTS in four straight games.
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