Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Brian Robinson Jr.

Monday, December 30, 6:15 PM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) will not require surgery for his strained calf. Hubbard was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve last week and will miss the final two games of the 2024 regular season. It's a downer to end what was a brilliant campaign for the 25-year-old in his fourth year in the NFL. He set career-highs in rushing attempts (250), rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10) and receptions (43) while recording 171 receiving yards and an additional touchdown in his 15 starts. In terms of half-PPR points per game (14.9), Hubbard was the RB12 in fantasy. Although the Panthers have another promising back they drafted in 2024 in Jonathon Brooks, he has yet to be healthy, and Carolina also signed Hubbard to a four-year extension last month. Hubbard should enter 2025 as the team's unquestioned RB1.

Sunday, January 12, 11:23 PM

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. tallied just 16 yards on ten attempts during their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson was deployed as the top option in the backfield but could not get any rhythm going in the running game. He performed better as a receiver, bringing in four of his five targets for 22 yards. Later in the game, the Commanders opted to give Austin Ekeler starting opportunities, which could suggest that Robinson may have a smaller workload in next weekend's game against the Detroit Lions. During Weeks 16 through 18, the Alabama product also struggled, averaging an underwhelming 31.3 yards per game. DFS players should opt to fade Robinson next weekend, as he will face a Detroit defense that has allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game to opposing RBs.