DeShaun

Foster

No time table has been set on his return. Steven Davis should be healthy enough to resume his starting duties next week.

Translation: this is still a running team, first and foremost. Without Steve Smith at wide receiver, the Panthers will try to keep games close by slowing down the game on the ground.

Collarbone breaks can vary a great deal in severity and length of recovery. While Charles Rogers is out for the year with a similar injury, players often return after six weeks. We should know more after today’s MRI.

A lot can happen between now and September, but Stephen Davis is unlikely to be ready by week one. Foster is on track returning from his broken collarbone and would be in line for 15-20 carries. Nick Goings is a fine insurance policy for both Panthers vets.

There aren’t many sets that the Panthers will use two running backs, so this is bad news for Stephen Davis. Davis is a team player who won’t complain, but his fantasy owners won’t be so nice.

Foster played for three series, mostly working between the tackles. Eric Shelton isn’t seriously challenging him to start. Foster’s two major questions remain: how much will he split carries and can he stay healthy.

The worries about Eric Shelton stealing touchdowns are fading fast. Foster is 222 pounds, and has always ran more physical than his reputation. Staying healthy is another matter.

While we’re still two months away from camp, Fox doesn’t see DeAngelo Williams as a true threat to Foster’s starting role. “This will be the first time coming into a season he’s been the featured guy. He’s definitely capable. We’ve just got to kill off that injury bug,” Fox said.

This wasn’t just a case of DeAngelo Williams falling in the draft. They were going to take someone. “We all love Deshaun Foster, but Deshaun Foster has not been able to fulfill a whole year for us,” said offensive coordinator Dan Henning.

It’s uncertain if he’s participating fully, but this is a positive step after missing minicamp last month. Foster is now almost five months removed from breaking his ankle. His battles with durability and DeAngelo Williams are worth watching.