Carolina

Panthers

Brooks was held to a couple carries in his NFL debut while Chuba Hubbard had 17 touches. Hubbard saw all the red zone work and was the only Carolina running back to log a pass route in Week 12. Brooks for now is a bench stash in case Hubbard misses time in the season’s final month.

With Jalen Coker sidelined with a quad injury, Moore came out of nowhere to lead the Panthers in targets and receptions, catching Bryce Young’s lone touchdown on the day. Moore nearly came down with another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a desperation throw from a pressured Young. He ran a route on 41 of Young’s 43 drop backs. Moore’s 80 yards against KC were the fourth most of his seven-year NFL career. While it would be surprising if Moore continued operating as Carolina’s WR1, he could be worth a pickup in deeper fantasy formats if Coker remains out in Week 13 against the Bucs.

Legette’s day was highlighted by a 34-yard gain on a well-thrown timing route from Bryce Young, who had one of his best outings as a pro. Legette later dropped a 25-yard reception on Carolina’s final drive of the game. Only David Moore had more targets (10) than Legette on the day with Jalen Coker sidelined with a quad injury. Legette, with at least four receptions in three of his past four games, should be flex-viable in Week 13 against a poor Bucs secondary.

Coker was added to the Panthers’ injury report on Friday — always a bad sign for a player’s Sunday availability. He won’t suit up against the Chiefs while Adam Thielen returns from a long-term hamstring injury. Thielen and Xavier Legette will profile as the Panthers’ top two wideouts with Coker sidelined.

Thielen, making his first appearance since Week 4, had a couple critical receptions in the second half and seemed to be Bryce Young’s go-to guy in high leverage situations. Thielen, however, was well behind David Moore, who led Carolina with ten targets on the day. Thielen, who nearly came down with a two point conversion, could be further ramped up in Week 13 against a Bucs defense allowing the league’s highest success rate.

Young had one of the best outings of his NFL career. Young made anticipatory throws time and again, trusting his pass catchers against a tough Kansas City secondary. Young stood strong in the pocket on a handful of critical completions in the second half and appeared far more comfortable than usual in the pocket. He showed poise when flushed outside the pocket too. This was just the third time in Young’s NFL career in which he averaged more than 7.5 yards per attempt, all while Panthers receivers dropped a few well-thrown balls. If Week 12 marks a turning point in Young’s career as a viable starting quarterback, he could hold some fantasy value down the stretch. That includes Week 13 against an exploitable Bucs defense.

Hubbard had full control over the Carolina backfield with rookie Jonathon Brooks making his pro debut. Hubbard saw almost all the early down work and, importantly, the red zone opportunities, including a short touchdown in the fourth quarter. Like almost every running back to face Kansas City this season, Hubbard was held in check, averaging a meager 3.7 yards per carry and rarely seeing open running lanes until late in the second half. He should have better prospects in Week 13 against a gettable Tampa defense. Brooks is a bench stash for now.

Sanders suffered a frightening head/neck injury late in the first half and was carted off the field. The rookie was reportedly taken straight to a nearby hospital, where he was to undergo testing and treatment for the neck injury. Sanders had three grabs for 49 yards before leaving the contest. Tommy Tremble will function as Carolina’s TE1 with Sanders sidelined.

Sanders caught a pass late in the second quarter and was flipped onto his head, with his neck bending in an awkward way. The rookie was in obvious pain and was carted off after receiving attention from both teams’ training staffs. Sanders had three catches for 49 yards before leaving the contest.

Thielen was activated from injured reserve two weeks ago but didn’t suit up for his first potential game off IR. He was limited in all three practices this week before being listed as questionable. Closing out another lost season, the Panthers don’t have any reason to rush Thielen back, so we’ll assume he’s at full strength and not on a pitch count if active. He should pace the Panthers in targets this week, though that isn’t a particularly valuable role with Bryce Young under center. Thielen is a WR4 at best in his first game since Week 3.