Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Efficient in regular-season finale
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Blackshear rushed four times for 47 yards in Sunday's 44-38 overtime win over the Falcons.
The Virginia Tech product returned to his reserve role, playing behind Miles Sanders, who delivered a monster performance in Sunday's overtime win with 20 touches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Blackshear was extremely effective with his limited opportunities, rushing for 47 yards on just four carries (11.8 yards per carry), including a 27-yard run in the second quarter that helped set up a Panthers touchdown. The 26-year-old appeared in 16 games for Carolina this season, totaling 80 rushing yards on just 15 carries. He added 791 kick return yards and 145 punt return yards, serving as the Panthers' primary return specialist throughout the year.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Back to reserve role Sunday
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Blackshear is expected to cede the start at running back to Miles Sanders (ankle) on Sunday in Atlanta, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Blackshear got the first chance to lead the backfield in the wake of Chuba Hubbard (knee) landing on IR prior to Week 17, but despite handling a 77 percent snap share last Sunday at Tampa Bay, the former had eight carries for 20 yards and wasn't targeted. Now with Sanders off injured reserve, he's in line to swap in for Blackshear, which isn't much of a surprise considering his vast experience as a No. 1 back. Blackshear thus will be vying with Mike Boone for complementary reps behind Sanders on Sunday.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Primed for Week 17 start
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Blackshear will start at running back in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
With Chuba Hubbard (knee/calf) joining Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) on injured reserve earlier in the week, Blackshear will be the next man up in the Carolina backfield, though he won't necessarily be tasked with handling Hubbard's three-down workhorse role. Since entering the NFL in 2022, Blackshear has seen the bulk of his action on special teams, where he's shined as a return man. However, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Blackshear was an accomplished receiver in college, producing a 123-1,213-7 receiving line over five seasons between Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Blackshear should thus have some extra appeal as a lineup option or DFS play in PPR formats with the likelihood that Carolina keeps him involved in the passing game, though the Panthers may not ask the diminutive running back to take on heavy volume on the ground. Mike Boone and Velus Jones are also on hand as options out of the backfield and could carve out roles in the Week 17 game plan.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: On track for added work
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Blackshear is expected to see added work during the Panthers' final two regular season games with Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) set to be placed on injured reserve Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear is currently the only other running back on the Panthers' 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but Mike Boone and Emani Bailey are on the team's practice squad. Blackshear and Boone will most likely to share backfield work in Week 17, though to what extent is unclear.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Gets three carries Sunday
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Blackshear took three carries for 13 yards in Sunday's 36-30 overtime win over the Cardinals.
The 26-year-old entered Sunday's contest without a rushing attempt this season, but with Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) both sidelined, Blackshear stepped in and served as Carolina's No. 2 running back, playing behind Chuba Hubbard. Blackshear made the most of his three carries, averaging 4.33 yards per attempt. His performance in Week 16 likely solidified his role as the Panthers' top backup running back for the remainder of the season. He will next take the field in the Week 17 matchup against the Buccaneers.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Downgraded to out
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Blackshear (chest) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
The absence of Blackshear considerably limits the backfield options for the Panthers, as Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) are also on injured reserve. Mike Boone, who was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, is expected to serve as the backup to Chuba Hubbard, although Velus Jones could also compete for touches.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Limited again Friday
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Blackshear (chest) remained limited in Friday's practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
With Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) both on injured reserve, Blackshear is suddenly Carolina's RB2 behind Chuba Hubbard. Behind him on the depth chart is WR turned RB Velus Jones, so Blackshear's availability is important. Back-to-back limited practices after a Wednesday DNP would suggest Blackshear has a decent chance to play Sunday against Dallas.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Upgrades to limited practice
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Blackshear (chest) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Blackshear was unable to practice in any capacity Wednesday, so it's encouraging to see his activity level increase. With Jonathon Brooks (knee - ACL) done for the year, Blackshear could see increased depth opportunities behind starter Chuba Hubbard if he's able to suit up for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Blackshear (chest) didn't practice Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear's absence from Wednesday's practice comes as no surprise, as the Virginia Tech product sustained a serious-looking chest injury in the Panthers' Week 14 loss to the Eagles. While he's since been released from the hospital and doesn't appear to be sidelined for a long period of time, he'll likely need to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Undergoes further tests at hospital
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Head coach Dave Canales relayed after Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Eagles that Blackshear was taken to a local Philadelphia hospital due to a chest injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear suffered a chest injury in the first half of Sunday's game and was ruled out after being taken to the locker room. He underwent additional testing at the hospital, but the good news for him is that he has been discharged and will travel with the team back to Carolina, per Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site. Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks was carted off the field due to knee injury, so if Blackshear is able to suit up against the Cowboys in Week 15, he would operate as the Panthers' No. 2 running back behind Chuba Hubbard. If both Brooks and Blackshear were to miss time, the Panthers could look to sign or elevate Mike Boone or Emani Bailey from the practice squad to the active roster.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Won't return to Week 14 matchup
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Blackshear (chest) has been ruled out from returning to Sunday's contest versus Philadelphia, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Blackshear was hurt in the first half and won't be able to return. In his absence, Deven Thompkins has stepped in to work as Carolina's primary kick and punt returner. Blackshear doesn't typically play much on offense, but his injury could lead to Chuba Hubbard having to handle nearly all of the Panthers' backfield work, as No. 2 RB Jonathon Brooks also exited early Sunday due to a knee injury.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Dealing with chest injury
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Blackshear is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 14 game against Philadelphia due to a chest issue, Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' official site reports.
Blackshear's activity prior to getting hurt included a 26-yard kick return and a one-yard punt return. After his exit, Deven Thompkins came on field for the next Eagles punt. Blackshear typically plays almost exclusively on special teams, as he doesn't have a touch over 11 offensive snaps this season.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Logs full practice Thursday
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Blackshear (shoulder) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session.
Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during the Panthers' Week 7 loss to the Commanders, Blackshear has been able to log consecutive full practices to start the week. He's listed as day-to-day with the injury, but it appears that he should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Through the first seven games of the regular season, Blackshear has logged 589 kick-return yards and 94 punt-return yards.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Considered day-to-day
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Blackshear suffered a dislocated shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Commanders, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Blackshear suffered the injury on a second-half kickoff and was unable to return to the game. Based on the day-to-day timeline given, the Virginia Tech product may have a chance to suit up Week 8 against the Broncos. More clarity on his chances to do so will likely come later in the week when the Panthers release their first injury report.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Questionable for Sunday
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Blackshear (personal) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Blackshear missed practice both Thursday and Friday due to a personal matter, but according to the Panthers' injury report, he still has a chance to suit up Sunday. If the 26-year-old running back isn't able to play in Week 2, expect rookie Xavier Legette to assume Carolina's top kick and punt return duties, per Joe Person of The Athletic.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Carolina's top return man
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Blackshear is set to serve as the Panthers' top kick and punt returner after the team parted ways with Ihmir Smith-Marsette on Wednesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Smith-Marsette's waiving comes as a bit of a surprise, as the fourth-year wideout finished sixth in the NFL with 322 punt return yards last season. Nevertheless, Blackshear has amassed 943 kick return yards on 35 attempts across his two seasons in Carolina, and he's now expected to have the opportunity to return punts as well in 2024. The Panthers could also use David Moore as a return man at some point this season, per Reed, but it appears that it's Blackshear's job to lose at this point.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Inactive for Monday Night Football
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Blackshear (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's matchup against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Blackshear played exclusively on special teams during the season opener and won't suit up for Week 2. Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard are the only active running backs for Carolina on Monday, while Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Laviska Shenault will presumably have to split return duties.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Just three offensive touches
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Blackshear rushed once for two yards and caught both of his targets for four yards in Saturday's 27-0 preseason loss to the Jets. He also returned two kickoffs for 37 yards and one punt for 10 yards.
Blackshear is currently competing with Spencer Brown for Carolina's third-string running back job. Although Brown led the team with eight rushes for 34 yards compared to Blackshear's minimal offensive output, the latter's value on special teams could work to his advantage in making the 53-man roster.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Could see expanded offensive role
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Blackshear appears to be in line for an expanded offensive role under the Panthers' new coaching staff, reports Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer.
Blackshear was singled out as an "under-the-radar" standout in spring practices by coach Frank Reich, according to Kaye. Signed by Carolina in September 2022 after he was cut by the Bills, Blackshear appeared in 13 games for the Panthers last season, rushing 23 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns in mop-up duties behind D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. He also caught 10 balls for 93 yards, and serving as a pass-catching complement to Miles Sanders could be his primary ticket to playing time this season.
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Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Gets two touches
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Blackshear caught two of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 13-3 loss to the Ravens.
Blackshear played 11 offensive snaps but didn't get any carries behind D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard. He holds minimal value heading into Week 12's matchup versus the Broncos.
