The Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 fantasy season with a backfield that looks more like a gamble than a sure bet, leaving owners wary of the options at running back.
Injury concerns mount
Chuba Hubbard, once a dependable RB14, slipped to RB32 in the first eight weeks of 2025, a decline that reflects both a dip in production and lingering durability questions.
Adding to the uncertainty, Jonathon Brooks has managed only three NFL appearances, each limited by ACL surgeries that have curtailed his snap count and left him without a clear production track record.
Line troubles compound the problem
The situation is compounded by a battered offensive line. Starting tackles Ickey Ekwonu and Taylor Moton are expected to miss significant time, while guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt are also nursing injuries that undermine run blocking.
In a recent loss, the trio of Brooks, Trevor Etienne and Miles Davis combined for under 1.8 yards per carry, underscoring the lack of a functional ground game.
The Panthers finished 19th in rushing yards per game last season, a statistic that does little to inspire confidence in a committee approach that may never coalesce, prompting fantasy analysts to urge owners to exercise patience and wait for a back who can stay healthy and demonstrate consistent yardage before committing draft capital.