The Panthers have been playing much better since Bryce Young ($5,600) returned at starting QB, but they are out of the playoffs heading into the final two games of the season. On Saturday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Chuba Hubbard ($7,000) would be placed on IR due to a calf and knee injury. His injury leaves Carolina very short-handed in the backfield, but it could also open up huge value and volume for Raheem Blackshear ($4,000).
Let’s take a look at the fantasy outlook of the Panthers with Hubbard’s season wrapped up.
Closing the book on Chuba
Here’s the report from Schefty:
There’s not a new obvious lead back in Carolina for the last two games of the season. Work likely to be shared with Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone. https://t.co/qCRMByNZtr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2024
Hubbard had an impressive season and earned a big extension along the way. He totaled 1,195 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns, including a walk-off winner over the Cardinals in overtime last week.
He proved he can be a workhorse RB1, with 15+ fantasy points in five of the last seven weeks. He’s expected to be back as the lead option next season, especially since rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) is unlikely to be ready for the start of next season after suffering a torn ACL in December.
Hubbard shaped up to be a strong RB2 with RB1 upside in next year’s season-long drafts.
Who’s up next?
With Brooks and Miles Sanders (knee) on IR already and Hubbard now out as well, the Panthers will likely go to Blackshear as their starting back in Week 17. It’s a tough matchup against the Bucs, but he will have potential since Hubbard has shown the offense and blocking opens enough holes to be effective.
The 26-year-old Blackshear was an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech and is in his third season with the Panthers. He has totaled 40 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons while also catching 16 passes for 138 receiving yards in his 39 career games.
This year, Blackshear didn’t have any catches or carries until last week, when he took three carries for 13 yards against the Cardinals. He operated as Hubbard’s clear backup after Brooks and Sanders went down, so he will likely get most of the work in the backfield on Sunday.
Another option could be veteran Mike Boone ($4,000), who was elevated from the practice squad last week. He is eligible for one more week on the active roster from the practice squad or could sign a regular contract since Hubbard will now be out for the final two games of the season.
Velus Jones Jr. ($4.000) is also on the roster after the Panthers signed him from the Jags’ practice squad, but he was a healthy inactive after playing four special teams snaps in Week 15 against the Cowboys. Last week, Blackshear and Boone were ahead of Jones, but he could get a few touches this week.
The Bottom Line
The Panthers are eight-point road underdogs in Tampa Bay this week and Blackshear is +135 to score a touchdown, the shortest odds of any player on the Panthers.
Blackshear is extremaly affordable at only $4,000, offering great salary savings in DFS Week 17 contests like the NFL $2.25M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. He has boom-or-bust potential since he is unproven but should get a significant workload on Sunday. Hubbard’s absence also could give a fantasy boost to Young, since he could do more running himself or have to pass a lot more if Blackshear struggles.
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