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Panthers' Week 10 Win vs. Giants Doesn't Bode Well for Prized Rookie

The second straight win for the Carolina Panthers is not a good sign for one talented youngster.

By Cem Yolbulan

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) celebrates with offensive tackle Taylor Moton (72) and wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run against the New York Giants in the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) celebrates with offensive tackle Taylor Moton (72) and wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run against the New York Giants in the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Carolina Panthers won back-to-back games for the first time since the 2022 season. Bryce Young led the Panthers to another game-winning drive as they defeated the Giants in Munich on Sunday to improve to 3-7 before their bye week.

The biggest storyline for Week 10 was Chuba Hubbard's performance. Fresh off a lucrative contract extension, the talented running back had a career game on Sunday, running a career-high 153 yards in 28 carries and scoring one touchdown. Through ten games, he is up to 818 rushing yards, on pace for 1,390 yards for the season.

This is exactly the type of leap the Panthers had hoped for from their 25-year-old rusher. The former fourth-round pick is playing like one of the best backs in the league in his fourth year in the league.

As exciting as this is for the fans and the organization, it doesn't bode well for Jonathon Brooks. The prized rookie was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft but has yet to make his debut as he recovers from a torn ACL. The second-round pick was activated earlier last week but didn't play against the Giants.

Considering that the Panthers don't play for another two weeks, holding him out makes plenty of sense.

However, Hubbard's performance does raise questions about how Brooks fits in. Veteran running back Miles Sanders exited the game with an ankle injury on Sunday. He has been disappointing all season anyway, so Brooks will certainly replace him in the rotation.

At the same time, Sanders hasn't had more than three rushing attempts in any game in the last six weeks. Is that type of workload going to be enough for a prized talent like Brooks? Head coach Dave Canales has to do a good job balancing priorities of winning versus development in the final stretch of the season.

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