Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Jerome Ford

Wednesday, November 20, 3:04 PM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he wants to see rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) play confident and fast when he makes his NFL debut, and he will be working behind Chuba Hubbard when he plays in his first NFL contest this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, Miles Sanders (ankle, foot) isn't expected to play in Week 12, so Brooks should serve as the backup to Hubbard. The 21-year-old Brooks hasn't played all year while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last year in college, but he's practicing in full on Wednesday and should be active this Sunday. Hubbard has earned lead-back duties for Carolina with another strong season in 2024, which means Brooks will probably be in line for backup duties the rest of the way in his rookie season, making him mostly a bench stash and handcuff in fantasy.

Wednesday, November 20, 8:42 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has been quiet in the two games that he's shared the backfield with Nick Chubb this season, rushing for just 15 yards on seven carries. The return of Chubb from injury has relegated Ford to mostly passing-game work after he opened the season as the team's lead back. Ford will hope to produce better numbers in a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. Ford isn't getting consistent enough work for fantasy gamers to trust in starting lineups, especially in a tough matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that is allowing the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season.