Chuba Hubbard realized Thursday evening how “Subsequent man up” works within the NFL.

The Panthers rookie working again changed Christian McCaffrey within the second quarter vs. the Texans after McCaffrey was pressured out of the sport with a hamstring pressure.

MORE: Panthers vs. Texans scoring updates, highlights

Hubbard acquired simply two carries earlier than halftime. One in all them was a fourth-and-1 try wherein he was stopped quick. Nonetheless, he was the de facto No. 1 again for the remainder of Thursday and could also be in that position for the subsequent a number of weeks. He had 14 complete touches (11 rushes, three receptions) for 79 yards in Carolina’s 24-9 victory.

“It was only a powerful scenario. You by no means wish to see a teammate go down, particularly Christian,” Hubbard stated.

So, who’s Chuba Hubbard? Here is what it’s worthwhile to learn about Christian McCaffrey’s essential backup and fantasy handcuff:

Hubbard was a Day 3 draft choice after a commerce

The Panthers traded down with the Titans to snag further picks within the center and late rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. One of many picks they acquired was No. 126 general, which is the place they took Hubbard. 

NFL DRAFT 2021: Full listing of choices

Hubbard stated after the draft that he was able to make large performs within the execs.

“It is type of onerous for me to explain, I really feel like I’ve a unique or distinctive working type,” Hubbard stated, per the Panthers’ web site. “However I do know that one factor about me is I am a playmaker. I really feel like I can rating from any a part of the sector, and I can deliver quite a bit to the Panthers.”

Hubbard is a Canadian import

Hubbard, 22, was born in Edmonton and grew up in Sherwood Park, Alta., the place he performed his prep soccer. He was recruited to Oklahoma State, the place he performed three seasons. He amassed 3,459 dashing yards, 479 receiving yards and 36 complete touchdowns in 33 profession video games with the Cowboys.

As a sophomore in 2019, he led the FBS with 21 dashing touchdowns and totaled 2,292 yards from scrimmage in 13 video games. He was Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the Yr and a Sporting Information first-team All-American.

MORE: Hubbard, Gundy seem in video to ease pressure at OSU

His 54 profession collegiate receptions are an indication that the Panthers can make the most of him within the passing recreation, though he probably will probably be a downgrade from McCaffrey out of the backfield.

Hubbard is certain to be a waiver-wire goal 

McCaffrey, as anticipated, was the middle of the Panthers’ offense in the course of the workforce’s first two-plus video games. He had greater than half the workforce’s touches (59) throughout Carolina’s 2-0 begin. Hubbard had simply 10 touches within the two video games.

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Hubbard was owned in 17 p.c of Yahoo leagues and 11 p.c of ESPN leagues, respectively, across the time of McCaffrey’s harm. That proportion is sure to go up shortly after his work Thursday.

“To be a working again you have acquired to have the ability to do every thing: move shield, catch the ball and run the ball. That is been some extent of emphasis for me over the past 12 months and I felt that I’ve progressed in it, positively,” he stated of including working to his early-season duties.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule advised NFL Community’s Erin Andrews at halftime that veteran backup Royce Freeman would even be a part of the offense within the second half towards Houston. Freeman acquired his first touches of 2021 after McCaffrey left the sport however Hubbard acquired the vast majority of the work. Freeman completed with six touches for 25 yards.

Freeman performed three seasons with the Broncos earlier than becoming a member of the Panthers final offseason on a waiver declare.