Who Should I Start? Chuba Hubbard or Tyler Johnson

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 19, 2:03 PM

According to the team, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tyler Johnson (coach's decision) will not suit up on Sunday afternoon to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. The 26-year-old also sat out during the wild-card round. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Demarcus Robinson to lead the passing attack in Philadelphia. Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington will operate as rotational pieces. During Week 18, when several starters rested, Johnson brought in four of his seven targets for 35 yards and a touchdown. Nacua carries an elite WR1 upside on this slate, whereas Kupp and Robinson carry flex value.