Darrin

Reaves

DT Montori Hughes was also added on a futures deal. Reaves appeared in six games for the Panthers in 2014 including one start, but he has not cracked a regular-season roster since then. He has been on the Chiefs’ training camp roster each of the last two years.

This complicates Reaves’ long-shot 53-man roster bid. The former UDFA hasn’t appeared in a game since 2014 with the Panthers.

Mercer County State Attorney Meeghan Lee told WRMJ Reaves had a prior relationship with one of the women. Both of the alleged victims have filed for orders of protection against him. A camp body and practice-squad type, Reaves’ career is almost certainly over.

Reaves underwent sports hernia surgery and was waived with an injury settlement. He will need to get healthy first, but he will likely end up on a camp roster. Reaves has not appeared in a regular-season game since 2014.

With DeAngelo Williams sitting out, Reaves got an extended look behind Mike Tolbert and Kenjon Barner. An undrafted free agent, his roster chances were increased by Tyler Gaffney’s season-ending knee injury. Reaves posted a 10-foot-3 broad jump at his Pro Day at 5-foot-7 and 209 pounds. He’ll need a strong preseason to avoid the practice squad.

They also waived RB LaVance Taylor, who generated some headlines for “earning” a 90-man roster spot by tweeting his highlight tape to the Chiefs’ Twitter account. The Chiefs are a team that utilizes SPARQ scores to make decisions at the bottom of their roster. Reaves has a better SPARQ score than Taylor.

Rivera promised Darrin Reaves, Fozzy Whittaker, and Chris Ogbonnaya will all get early-game carries against Chicago. The Panthers will ride whichever back shows he’s running the best. Explosive UDFA Reaves remains the best bet for carries, but there are no guarantees on his workload, snaps, or production. He’s a high-risk flex option with some upside against Chicago’s leaky run defense.

We’d expect all three players to get touches as Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert sit out, but Reaves should lead the committee. The only player not to be a member of the Browns’ historically bad 2013 running back corps, Reaves is also the only one of the trio to notch a touch for the Panthers this season. Reaves comes with obvious risk, but he’s not a bad dart throw at FLEX.

Whittaker sat out Wednesday’s practice, but was “limited” in Thursday’s session. The ex-Brown will back up default Panthers starter Darrin Reaves. Whittaker is not on the Week 5 fantasy radar.

Reaves could be in line for another start with Jonathan Stewart (knee) a game-time decision, but will be no more than a low-upside RB3/FLEX. Stewart will get the majority of the carries if he plays.