Hubbard was a workhorse for the Panthers last year, running for 1,195 yards on 250 attempts. He also totaled 43 receptions for another 171 yards, bringing him over 275 touches for the second season in a row. The team rewarded him for his efforts with a four-year extension midseason, but that doesn’t mean they are going to load him up with touches once again. The Panthers brought in Rico Dowdle in free agency and spent a fourth-round pick on Trevor Etienne. Dowdle split snaps with Hubbard during the preseason, alluding to a possible role for him on passing downs. Hubbard remains the only back with stand-alone fantasy value in Carolina, but he may struggle to live up to his lofty ADP if Dowdle or Etienne are more involved than expected.

Both Hubbard and Rico Dowdle played on the Panthers’ first two drives, quarterbacked by Bryce Young. Hubbard was on the field for the Panthers’ second third-down but surrendered both the first and third to Dowdle. This is, perhaps, where Hubbard will see his touch count reduced following a high-volume role in 2024.

The number of carries will “drop a bit in 2025" because “it has to.” But Zietlow believes this will just be management for Hubbard and that he should still get all the goal-line touches. Zietlow also believes Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne will split snaps behind Hubbard this year.

Hubbard was listed as questionable with a knee injury for the Week 17 matchup with the Buccaneers and Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he expected the 25-year-old running back to play after Friday’s practice. He was having a great season that included earning a rare midseason extension at the position seemingly no teams want to reward with long-term contracts. Hubbard was a borderline RB1 heading into fantasy championship week, but now his managers will be scrambling for other options. Mike Boone will likely start in Hubbard’s absence with Miles Sanders also on injured reserve. Boone is in flex consideration as more of a desperation play as he doesn’t offer nearly the same upside as Hubbard.