Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Jaylen Warren

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.

Monday, June 16, 3:13 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren recently noted via the team's website that he adjusted his training this offseason in anticipation of handling a larger workload in 2025. "I approached this offseason differently," said Warren. "I did a lot more things for longevity-wise...like they say, the best ability is availability." The Oklahoma State product enters his fourth season with the team and projects as the lead back for the first time in his career with former teammate Najee Harris' departure to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, he isn't the only show in town. Warren should play a substantial role in the backfield regarding touches, but rookie Kaleb Johnson projects to eventually fill the role vacated by Harris due to his similar frame. That isn't to say he'll overtake Warren, but it could mean he handles goal-line touches in time. Expect Warren to see an uptick in carries from previous seasons and play a significant role on third downs and passing situations.