Cameron

Artis-Payne

Artis-Payne’s four-year Panthers tenure was ended on Friday. The defintion of a replacement-level back, CAP is likely just being added to the Saints’ emergency list.

A Panthers reserve since entering the league as the No. 174 overall pick in 2015, Artis-Payne has never notched more than 45 carries in a season. That high-water mark came his rookie year. “CAP” has never put anything on film to suggest he’s more than a replacement-level back. He had multiple opportunities to earn a bigger role in Carolina and never did so. 2019 is his age-29 campaign.

A fifth-round pick in 2015, Artis-Payne has recorded just 118 carries in four seasons as a deep reserve. The Panthers are looking for someone to shoulder more of the load behind Christian McCaffrey, but it is unlikely Artis-Payne is that player.

Playing second-fiddle to C.J. Anderson in a meaningless backup role, CAP stayed an afterthought throughout the year. Even when Anderson was released (essentially propelling Artis-Payne to No. 2), he got just three carries until his aforementioned 16 in Week 17 mop-up duty with UDFA Kyle Allen under center. Artis-Payne is likely heading to free agency and could strike a deal that slots him into an early-down bruiser role in a two/three-headed committee. He’ll turn 29 in June.

All are healthy aside from Smith, who has a hamstring issue.

Artis-Payne was listed at 5’10/212 at the 2015 Combine, but played his rookie year at 220 pounds. He’s off to a good start at OTAs after ending last postseason a healthy inactive. Artis-Payne should regain the No. 2 back role, but has limited handcuff value with Mike Tolbert returning.

He added 12 yards through the air on a catch-and-run. Artis-Payne had a nice night, but, most importantly, he worked as the clear No. 2 after Jonathan Stewart left. With Stewart’s health always in question, CAP could make starts this season.

He added an 11-yard reception. Coach Ron Rivera lived up to his word, making Artis-Payne the chairman of Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart-less committee. CAP out-touched Fozzy Whittaker 13-10 and Mike Tolbert 13-4. J-Stew is expected to remain sidelined for Week 4, but CAP will be a mere RB3, even in a projected high-scoring game with the Falcons.

He accounted for the Panthers’ only two end-zone visits, and they were Artis-Payne’s first two scores of the season. The Bucs did a good job of bottling up the Panthers’ running game early Monday night, but the flood gates opened in the second half. Artis-Payne scored from one yard out on his first touchdown, then walked in untouched around the left edge from 12 yards out. Both scores came in the third quarter. The 85 yards were a single-game career best for CAP. He’ll be on the RB3 map next week at New Orleans if Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) misses another game.

They will again run out Mike Remmers at left tackle, a concern on Cam Newton’s blind side against white-hot Cardinals outside rushers Chandler Jones and Markus Golden. Artis-Payne is no longer needed with Jonathan Stewart healthy.