Fantasy News: Panthers' Chuba Hubbard Reportedly to Go on IR with Calf, Knee Injuries

Chuba Hubbard's best season of his career has come to an end two games early.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers placed Hubbard on injured reserve on Saturday due to a calf and knee injury, meaning he will miss the final two games of the year. The Panthers, who have been eliminated from the playoffs, will rely on Raheem Blackshear in the backfield with Hubbard and backup running back Miles Sanders both on injured reserve.

Hubbard, a fourth-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL draft, recorded 1,195 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season, both career-highs. He also had 171 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.

He rushed for more than 100 yards in four games this season, including Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals when he had 152 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was the game-winner in overtime. That performance earned him NFC Player of the Week honors.

Amid Hubbard's breakout season, he signed a four-year, $33.2 million extension with the Panthers, keeping him with Carolina through the 2028 season. Given the new contract, the Panthers opted to take the safe route and keep him off the field until next season.

Carolina, which improved to 4-11 with last week's win over the Cardinals, has already been eliminated from the playoffs, so it has little to play for in its final two games. Instead, its focus will be on developing young players and ending the year on a positive note.

With no Hubbard, Blackshear is the only running back currently on the Panthers' 53-man roster. Blackshear, a third-year player, has just three carries for 13 yards this season. Should Carolina decide to call up another running back, it has Mike Boone and Emani Bailey on the practice squad.