Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Kenneth Walker III

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.

Thursday, December 26, 4:13 PM

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve. As a result, Walker will miss at least the next four contests, which will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. In addition, the Seahawks would have to advance to at least the NFC Championship to give Walker an opportunity to return to action. The Michigan State product sustained this injury during last weekend's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Zach Charbonnet to lead the backfield for the foreseeable future. When put in the starting role, Charbonnet has performed very well. During Weeks 14 and 15, Charbonnet averaged a stellar 25.9 PPR points per game. He should be viewed as a top-12 option on Thursday evening when he faces the Chicago Bears. Kenny McIntosh will move up to the No.2 spot and could see a slight increase in opportunities.