Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Full go for Wednesday
Rotowire
Blackshear (chest) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Blackshear missed Carolina's Week 15 loss to the Cowboys after sustaining a chest injury the game prior, however, Wednesday's full practice session suggests he's already moved past the issue. The Virginia Tech product will likely have a larger offensive role for the remainder of the season, serving as the Panthers' No. 2 running back with Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Miles Sanders (ankle) both on injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Limited again Friday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Upgrades to limited practice
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Misses Wednesday's practice
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Undergoes further tests at hospital
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Won't return to Week 14 matchup
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Dealing with chest injury
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Logs full practice Thursday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Considered day-to-day
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Logs no offensive snaps in Week 2
Rotowire
Blackshear returned three kickoffs for 81 yards and one punt for 13 yards during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers.
Blackshear was able to suit for Sunday's affair despite missing practices earlier in the week due to personal reasons, and he impressed as Carolina's top return man. The 26-year-old's longest return went for 31 yard on a kickoff in the second quarter. Despite showing some juice in the return game, Blackshear didn't play a single offensive snap in Week 2 and appears to be an afterthought in Carolina's backfield.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Carolina's top return man
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Plays 12 games
Rotowire
Blackshear finished the regular season with 14 rushes for 46 yards and six catches on seven targets for 45 yards in 12 games. He also returned 16 kickoffs for 430 yards.
Blackshear remained in a depth tailback and special-teams role under a new coaching staff. He's now slated to become an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, making it uncertain whether he'll return to Carolina or resurface elsewhere.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Inactive for Monday Night Football
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Just three offensive touches
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Could see expanded offensive role
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Gets two touches
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Gets six carries
Rotowire
Blackshear rushed six times for 32 yards in Thursday night's 25-15 win over the Falcons.
Blackshear ranked third among Carolina's tailbacks in snaps but garnered one more carry than backup Chuba Hubbard. Although Hubbard returning from an ankle injury gives the Panthers more quality depth behind starter D'Onta Foreman -- who rushed 31 times for 130 yards and a touchdown Thursday -- Blackshear remaining in the rotation helps preserve a bit of fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Raheem Blackshear: Scores first touchdown
Rotowire
Blackshear rushed five times for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals. He also caught all four of his targets for 40 yards.
Blackshear, a rookie from Virginia Tech, scored the first touchdown of his career with a two-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. Although the blowout nature of Sunday's game resulted in Blackshear getting more involved, it was nonetheless his best performance as a pro. In playing four more offensive snaps than fellow tailback Spencer Brown, Blackshear's usage could be interesting to monitor in Week 10's Thursday night game versus the Falcons, when Chuba Hubbard (ankle) may remain sidelined behind starter D'Onta Foreman.
