Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Kenny Pickett

Monday, September 8, 3:35 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard caught the team's lone touchdown in a 23-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. With just under five minutes left in the game, quarterback Bryce Young hit Hubbard in the flat, and after evading a shoestring tackle, he was able to race up the sideline unchallenged for the 27-yard score. Hubbard had an otherwise unremarkable game, logging 16 carries for 57 rushing yards and turning five targets into three receptions for 32 yards and the trip to the end zone. The one positive is Hubbard's dominance of the Panthers' backfield duties. Rico Dowdle saw only three carries, and Hubbard outsnapped his new understudy at a 2-to-1 clip. Hubbard and the Panthers will take to the road to face the Cardinals in Week 2.

Thursday, September 4, 9:39 AM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) logged a full practice on Wednesday and is cleared to suit up in Week 1 when the Raiders face the New England Patriots. Pickett began the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The former first-round pick has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but appears to have moved past it. Fantasy managers should expect Pickett to operate as the backup option to Geno Smith. Currently, Aidan O'Connell (wrist) is on the injured reserve, which means Pickett will likely be given all of those opportunities under center if Smith were to miss time. Last season, Pickett spent time as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia but was deployed as a starter across his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. He is only worth a look in deeper superflex leagues if he were to take over the starting job.