Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or Chuba Hubbard

Friday, January 2, 5:08 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) has officially been ruled out for Week 18's regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers, according to Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. Jones was a non-participant every day in practice this week and will end up missing his fifth game of the season after spending time on Injured Reserve earlier in the year with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old recorded 132 carries for 548 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 28 catches (41 targets) for 199 yards and one score as a receiver in 12 games. Backfield mate Jordan Mason (ankle) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday after missing last week's game against the Lions. Mason figures to handle the bulk of the carries for Minnesota's final regular-season game against the Packers, profiling as a borderline RB1.

Sunday, February 1, 11:59 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard's RB15 finish in 2024 made him a popular early-to-mid-round pick in 2025, but after missing time and ceding primary early down work to a more efficient Rico Dowdle upon his return, he finished as the RB40. Dowdle, who was on a one-year deal, has been vocal about wanting to be featured as a lead back, but whether he returns to Carolina or not, it's unlikely that Hubbard will again see the type of volume that made him a fantasy league-winner in 2024. Hubbard's usage in the passing game has ranked among the least efficient in the league over his five-year career, and his near-300 touches in 2024 came largely as a result of the unexpected absence of second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who could be back to fight for a starting role in 2026. Regardless of who Hubbard finds himself sharing a backfield with next season, the 27-year-old has likely seen the last of his bell-cow duties.