Team news: Carolina Panthers

A QB change: Panthers will start QB Sam Darnold vs. the Broncos on Sunday.

Related players: P.J. Walker, Baker Mayfield

It will be a tough matchup against the Broncos for Darnold. And, it will tough to expect a lot more to the Panthers offense with this QB change, but it's worth noting for those in deeper supflex or two QB leagues. Owners of D.J. Moore can always hope this change will be the one to get him going, however.

P.J. Walker has a high ankle sprain. So Baker Mayfield will start at QB this week, Sam Darnold will be the backup.

The carousel of below-replacement-level quarterbacks continues in Carolina, as Mayfield will once again try his hand at helping make a cohesive offense. Any Panthers QB should be far off of your fantasy radar.

Sam Darnold returned to Panthers practice back on October 19th and has now been cleared for in-game action.

Related Players: PJ Walker, Baker Mayfield

With safety valve Christian McCaffrey now out in San Francisco, the Carolina offense is a poor site to behold. The quarterback roulette will spin again and likely land on Darnold, but he offers no fantasy upside on typical redraft leagues.

Running back Chuba Hubbard (ankle), who did some limited work earlier in the week, was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals. He did not participate in Friday's practice after doing some limited work on Wednesday and Thursday.

Related Players: D'Onta Foreman, Raheem Blackshear

D'Onta Foreman took his opportunity and ran with it in Weeks 7 and 8, accruing back-to-back 100+ yard games, while scoring three touchdowns last week. With minimal competition for touches, he should be considered a fringe RB1/2 on Sunday.

Wilks said it's tough to say when Panthers will activate Sam Darnold, whose 21-day window ends Tuesday.

Related players: P.J. Walker

If they don't activate him by then, he'll remain on IR, according to the tweet. Wilks said Darnold looks good, but points out he hasn't had game action (regular season) since the end of '21.

RB Chuba Hubbard (ankle) arrived at practice with his helmet and pads. Still feels he’s in rehab stage.

Related players: D'Onta Foreman

Hubbard is in doubt for Week 9 and if he's not able to play, Foreman would be in store for a big workload. Foreman's produced pretty nice fantasy numbers over the last two weeks. In Week 7 he ran for 15-118-0 and last week against the Falcons ran for 26-118-3. The Panthers have a tougher matchup at Cincy in Week 9 in an early game. If Hubbard plays he'd likely take some carries away from Foreman.

Panthers ruled out RB Chuba Hubbard for Sunday's game against the Falcons due to an ankle injury.

Related Players: D'Onta Foreman

D'Onta Foreman was already in the mix during the Panthers' first post-Christian McCaffrey game, with Raheem Blackshear in action as the third option. Blackshear took his first two career rushes for gains of -1 and -4 yards while Foreman took 17 touches and turned them into 145 yards and a touchdown. Foreman should be a solid RB2 in fantasy lineups this week.

Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.

McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford.

Related players: D'Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson

This should enhance McCaffrey's value since the 49ers run a more competent offense than the Panthers. Elijah Mitchell is no longer expected to be a fantasy starter upon his return from injury, and can be dropped if necessary. He's an attrition RB2 now. Jimmy Garoppolo should benefit by having such a good receiving back to throw to, but targets are already at a premium, so Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle each take a slight hit. In Carolina, we'll likely see a committee consisting of D'Onta Foreman on early downs and Chuba Hubbard as a third-down/change-of-pace back. On the season, Foreman has played 31 snaps while Hubbard has played 30. Foreman has 12 touches (all carries), while Hubbard has six carries and one reception.

Steve Wilks says P.J. Walker will start this week at QB.

Related players: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield

Walker wasn't impressive in Week 6 but the Panthers likely have no other choice here. Mayfield is still hurt and Darnold was just designated to return, but will need more time.